Olopeng meets Mswati over AUSC Games
Calistus Kolantsho | Thursday August 3, 2017 12:08
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Thapelo Olopeng paid a courtesy on SADC chairperson, King Mswati III last week in Swaziland.
AUSC Region V secretary general, Siyabonga Sangweni told Mmegi Sport that the meeting was meant for Olopeng and Mswati III to compare notes regarding sport in the region. He said over the years, sport has not been getting enough support from SADC. He said the new SADC chairperson has a passion for sport and that would go a long way towards development.
“The King welcomed Olopeng and his delegation that comprised AUSC Region V chairperson Dr Vetumbuavi Veii, George Jana (deputy chairman) and the region’s chief executive officer, Stanley Mutoya,” he said.
Sangweni said the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport recognises the AUSC Region V to be the implementing arm for all SADC sports programmes.
“The protocol was signed by all 10 member state presidents in 2001 in Blantyre, Malawi. His Majesty was reminded of his signature on this binding document.
He mentioned that he will do all in his power to see sports development taking centre stage in the SADC agenda going forward,” Sangweni said.
Early this year, Botswana signed the 2018 African Union Sports Council Region V Under 20 Youth Games protocol agreement in Gaborone. The signing of the agreement paved way for the preparations of the successful hosting of the eighth edition of these biennial games that are held in all the AUSC Region V member countries on a rotational basis in alphabetic order. The last games were held in Luanda, Angola in December 2016.
Mswati III is well known for his passion and initiatives in sport development through his programmes in Swaziland such as Imbube Marathon, Ingonyama Cup and the King’s Golf Cup, where international teams and players are invited to take part in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, preparation phases for the 2018 AUSC Games that are meant to guide the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have commenced. Phase One was completed in June while Phase Two is to be carried out between July and December 2017, will focus on Botswana’s ability to provide games support services.
The assessment will include amongst others, development of general rules and regulations, selection of sports codes, training facilities, accreditation system, games marks and symbols as well as legal and financial systems.
The third phase, between January to June 2018, will focus on the ability of the country to stage a safe and secure games. Health, medical services and anti-doping systems, equipment, volunteers, competition schedules, transport and immigration procedures amongst others will be scrutinised.
The final phase, between July to December 2018 will focus on Botswana’s ability to stage exceptional games during which focus will be on ceremonies, entertainment, broadcasting, marketing, games legacy and city beautification. The Region V member states include; Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.