The 7th edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), held in Harare, became a powerful platform for reaffirming the strategic role of sport in national and regional development. The keynote address, delivered on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, underscored Zimbabwe’s firm commitment to transforming sport into a viable economic and social sector.
The ceremony, themed “Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring Innovation,” brought together athletes and stakeholders from across Southern Africa and showcased the immense potential of sport as a catalyst for transformation.
President Mnangagwa’s remarks, conveyed by Minister Muchinguri, positioned sport as a critical pillar for economic growth. Citing global data, the President noted that the international sports events market has the capacity to generate approximately US$80 billion annually, a figure that underscores the economic possibilities tied to sport.
“We must recognise that sport is a catalyst for economic growth,” the President said. “From ticket sales and matchday visitors to long-term investments, the impact of sport must go well beyond filling stadiums, it must change lives and bring hope through value addition and beneficiation.”
Zimbabwe’s own approach to development, encapsulated in the philosophy “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (a country is built by its people), has found resonance in the sporting arena. The Government has officially recognised sport, recreation, and arts as strategic economic drivers under Vision 2030, and continues to allocate investment accordingly.
Minister Muchinguri, speaking for the President, urged the corporate sector, development partners, and regional institutions to amplify their support for the sports industry, not only for entertainment purposes but as a serious contributor to GDP, job creation, and national branding.
The awards ceremony also offered a moment of pride and continental recognition as Zimbabwe’s own Dr Kirsty Coventry, recently elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was honoured. The President described her as a “living legend” and a trailblazer, being the first African and first woman to lead the IOC, achievements that symbolize breaking of global glass ceilings.
“Dr Coventry has broken barriers and deserves a special place in the annals of global sport history,” President Mnangagwa said. Her journey, marked by Olympic medals and visionary leadership, serves as a beacon of excellence across the African continent.
The President also saluted AUSC Region 5 for its instrumental role in scouting and nurturing sporting talent. Examples such as Zambia’s Patson Daka, Botswana’s Nigel Amos and Zimbabwe’s Donata Katai were highlighted as shining products of the region’s sporting pipeline. These individuals, he noted, exemplify what deliberate investment and structured talent development can achieve.
“Sport is more than competition,” the President remarked. “It is a powerful vehicle for promoting peace, economic empowerment and social transformation.”
As host of this prestigious regional gathering, Zimbabwe elevated its stature on the continental sporting landscape. Beyond the awards, the event served as a platform to advance Agenda 2063, the African Union’s vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. Sport, as President Mnangagwa observed, aligns with this agenda by promoting innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.
“As Zimbabwe hosts this event,” he said, “we reaffirm our commitment to invest in sport as a strategic pillar for national development and continental cooperation.”
The President closed his address with a call for collective responsibility: “Let us selflessly commit to building our sporting ecosystem. Beyond accolades, let us invest in infrastructure, talent development and innovation.”
As the applause echoed through the venue, it became clear that Zimbabwe’s sporting narrative is shifting, from one of potential, to one of deliberate action and regional leadership.
