This follows the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) having been forced to drop some of the sporting codes due to financial constraints. AUSC Region 5 CEO, Stanley Mutoya, told MmegiSport that preparation for the games is gathering pace. He said the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is chaired by Namibia National Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Dr Ndeulipula Hamtumwa, the first time an NOC president chairs the organising committee. “The LOC has already covered significant ground including developing a games master plan, identifying proposed competition and training venues and is currently in the process of finalising procurement of sports equipment,” he said.
Mutoya said countries have entered their athletes for competition and they have started accrediting 2, 552 athletes and officials who will be participating and competing in 12 sports codes. He said the draft competition schedule has already been developed and all competition technical manuals are ready and have been distributed to Chefs de Mission (CDM). “We had the first CDMs meeting, which was attended by all participating countries. A number of training programmes have been lined up for medical practitioners, safeguarding officers, and technical team managers between now and May 2025,” Mutoya said.
He mentioned that a draft competition schedule has already been drawn and timelines for key milestones have been outlined. Mutoya said plans for the torch relay throughout all the 10-member countries are being finalised and broadcasting rights are already on sale for those national broadcasters that wish to be part of the event. When asked about the budget, Mutoya explained that the budget varies across different host countries depending on what they want to achieve. He said the change of dates does not place any negative impact on the games, adding that apart from ensuring that athletes are warm throughout the games, there is no particular negative impact anticipated. Mutoya said the period around June is extremely cold in Namibia so measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the athletes and spectators. Regarding countries cutting down teams, Mutoya said there is no better advice to give to countries than to emphasise the fact that the Region 5 Games are a critical part of an athlete's long-term development.
He explained that the games prepare athletes for the African Youth Games and African Junior Championships leading up to the Youth Olympics, African Games, and ultimately the Olympic Games. “It is therefore imperative for a country to take full advantage of such events as the Region 5 Games as part of their athletes' performance pathways as a cheaper option than sending athletes to compete in Europe and the Americas. Africa and in this case, Southern Africa needs to be proud of its products and the Region 5 Games is one of several other such products for the benefit of the athletes,” Mutoya said. He said the games have changed many athletes' lives, from performance to behaviour change. “As you might be aware, we run athlete Anti-Doping education during the games and this has changed many athletes by increasing their knowledge of the dangers of doping in sport. We also empower them on their rights through the safeguarding programme. In addition, we help them appreciate our cultural heritage by making them participate in the cultural festival,” he said.
He said some of the products of Region 5 Games include the likes of Nijel Amos, Naomi Ruele, Caster Semenya, Collins Mbesuma, Wayde van Nierkerk, and Christine Mboma. “As part of the Namibia games, the legacy includes climate neutrality. We have plans to plant 25 million trees as part of our climate action. In addition, we are mounting air quality monitors to measure the games' carbon footprint so that we are informed in developing policies and strategies to reduce carbon footprint in future games.” Mutoya said. Athletes will compete in athletics (including athletics for the visually impaired and Special Olympics), basketball (including 3x3), boxing for both male and female, E-Sport, football, judo, karate, netball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, and tennis.
