Hon Kazembe Kazembe poses for a group photo with dignitaries
Story by Lisca Philo
Images :Tanaka Gwanyanya
The Acting Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, has called on stakeholders of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 to leverage sports as a tool for fostering regional development.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the official opening of the AUSC Region 5 Board of Advisors meeting in Harare, Minister Kazembe acknowledged the progress made in advancing sports across the region but emphasized the need for continued efforts.
“Let us first take a moment to celebrate the significant strides we have made in promoting sports across our region. We must continue to strive for sporting excellence and ensure that the momentum we have built does not wane,” he said.
The Minister highlighted achievements made possible through the Sports Council, including initiatives to enhance governance and performance. However, he stressed the importance of addressing persistent challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to sports remains limited.
“Many of our communities, particularly in rural areas, face significant barriers to participation in sports. It is our responsibility to create an enabling, inclusive environment where every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to engage in sports,” Minister Kazembe said.
Pointing out critical issues such as inadequate funding, lack of access to facilities, and governance inefficiencies, the Minister said these challenges required immediate attention.
“The challenges we face are regional in nature and require a unified response. By pooling resources and sharing best practices, nations can create sustainable programs that uplift communities.
“Through our combined efforts, we can harness the power of sports to drive social cohesion, economic development, and improved well-being for our citizens,” Minister Kazembe noted.
He called for innovative partnerships and sustainable funding mechanisms to support both elite athletes and grassroots programs.
“Moreover, we must address the need for sustainable funding mechanisms that support not only elite athletes but also grassroots programs. A robust sports infrastructure is essential for nurturing talent and ensuring that our athletes can compete at the highest levels.
“In this spirit of collaboration, I urge all of us to explore strategic areas of collaboration beyond our borders. By working together with regional and international stakeholders, we can pool our resources, share best practices, and create sustainable programs that uplift our communities,” he said.
The AUSC Region 5 meeting underscored the power of sports as a unifying force, with Minister Kazembe emphasizing the region’s shared responsibility to drive development through inclusive and strategic efforts.
