Minister tells ANOCA Zone VI reps to put young athletes first
EZULWINI – Minister Jane Mkhonta has urged ANOCA Zone VI representatives to ensure sports administration delivers tangible benefits for young athletes.
Mkhonta, who was representing Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima, was speaking at the opening of the ANOCA Zone VI Secretaries General Seminar 2027 at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini today.
The two-day seminar, which ends tomorrow, has brought together secretaries general from 10 ANOCA Zone VI countries to discuss strategies for strengthening sport in the region.
Mkhonta challenged sports administrators to ensure their work goes beyond administration and creates opportunities for young people.
“Administration is meaningless if it does not boost our youth,” she said.
She said the seminar was an opportunity for SADC countries to strategise collectively on improving their performance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, including finding ways to fundraise and support athletes.
Mkhonta also highlighted the link between sport and tourism, saying the seminar comes at a time when Eswatini is showcasing its culture to international visitors through the Umhlanga season.
She said visitors should be encouraged to capture and market Eswatini’s beauty and culture, helping boost tourism and the economy.
The minister said Eswatini was targeting two million tourists and E2 billion in tourism revenue, urging visitors to spend locally.
“We hope they will buy something and boost our economy,” she said.
Mkhonta said the country was committed to unearthing talent from grassroots level, with the aim of preparing the next generation of athletes to compete at the highest level by 2036.
She said Eswatini wanted to produce more athletes like Olympic sprinter Sibusiso Matsenjwa, while ensuring a safe sporting environment and policies that protect athletes from substance abuse.
She urged the 10 Zone VI countries to present a united and comprehensive front on the international stage so their athletes could shine at major competitions.
‘Hosting seminar is recognition for Eswatini’
Mthethwa says Zone VI gathering can unlock sporting progress
EZULWINI – EOCGA president Bomber Adam Mthethwa says Eswatini’s hosting of the ANOCA Zone VI Secretaries General Seminar is recognition of the country’s contribution to sport.
Mthethwa was speaking during the opening of the two-day seminar at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini today.
The seminar has brought together secretaries general from 10 ANOCA Zone VI countries to share strategies aimed at advancing sport in the region.
“We are happy as a country to host this seminar. It is recognition on its own,” Mthethwa said.
He said the gathering provided sporting associations with an opportunity to examine strategies that could drive progress towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and beyond.
Mthethwa said the long-term objective was to position the region to compete for medals on the international stage.
He said it was significant that Eswatini was selected to host the meeting, particularly because ANOCA Zone VI Secretary General Maxwell Jele comes from the country.
Mthethwa said countries could benefit from sharing methods and experiences, particularly by learning from those that had successfully developed their sporting systems.
He said the discussions should ultimately contribute to the recognition and development of sport across the region. ‘How do we turn sport into business?’
Region 5 CEO challenges Zone VI to rethink sports funding
EZULWINI – African Union Sports Council Region 5 CEO Stanley Mutoya has challenged ANOCA Zone VI countries to find ways of turning sport into a sustainable business.
Mutoya was speaking at the opening of the ANOCA Zone VI Secretaries General Seminar 2027 at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini today.
The two-day seminar has brought together secretaries general from 10 Zone VI countries to discuss strategies for strengthening sports administration and development.
“How do we transform sport into business?” Mutoya asked.
He said the region needed to examine how governments, the private sector and sporting organisations could work together to create sustainable partnerships.
Mutoya said improving sports governance was another key priority, alongside building partnerships that could provide greater support for athletes and sporting organisations.
He said success did not happen by chance, stressing that it had to be deliberately cultivated.Mutoya said the seminar would give countries an opportunity to share their successes and weaknesses, identify common challenges and develop practical solutions.
He said addressing key issues around partnerships, governance and sports business would go a long way towards tackling the challenges facing sport in the region.
The seminar ends tomorrow.
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