President Hakainde Hichilema says the Government will continue to endeavor to increase investments towards funding programmes that contribute and support the national development priorities in the best interest of Zambians.
Mr Hichilema says the Government wishes to see a realization of more milestones through sport as it continues to play a leading role in the education of people through an Afrocentric value-based education approach.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, during the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) in Lusaka on Saturday.
President Hichilema stated that Governments of the Region Five have over the years invested substantially in the development of sports beyond support for major teams but also for the expansion towards investments in construction and refurbishment of sports and recreational facilities.
He explained that the investment by the governments had led to stimulating homes of other downstream industries including the flow of both domestic and international tourists attracted by the influence of sport.
The Head of State further added that millions of jobs have been created through sports leading to improved livelihoods of people, stating that sports drive social economic transformation of countries.
Mr Hichilema highlighted tourism, education, health and community development as some of the social economic clusters of countries stimulated by sport.
He further pointed out that sports disciplines like athletics, boxing, football, judo and draft have placed Zambia on the world map through outstanding performances.
“This Silver Jubilee presents an opportunity to reboot and transform sport from being a constrictive industry to one that is productive and sustainable. In the face of climate related challenges, the next 25 years must place planetary heads at the center of Region Five priorities in the delivery of a safe, inclusive and cohesive sports and recreation echo system,” said Mr Hichilema.
The President further commended Region Five for the efforts to establish a Sport Museum in Zimbabwe that is meant to celebrate the rich sporting history and culture of the region for prosperity adding that it is a welcome drive towards preservation of Africa’s cultural heritage.
President Hichilema further urged the Region Five leaders to continue coordinating sports and recreation development in the region and further encouraged that a regional specialized technical committee of youth, culture and sport be established to increase coordination in the interest of youths.
And speaking at the same event, the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Regional Five Chief Executive officer, Stanley Mutoya thanked the Zambian Government for accepting to host the awards.
Mr Mutoya assured that Region Five will continue to bring incentives and motivations for young people and make sport a productive industry.
Meanwhile, Region 5 Council of Ministers Chairperson, Agnes Tjongarero expressed determination towards fully harnessing the aspirations of the regional sports ecosystem premised upon good governance, accountable leadership in a sustainable sport business model.
Four Zambians were nominated in the 6th edition of the Regional Annual Sports (RASA) Awards where Virginia Chilongo emerged winner as the best Sports Journalist of the Year.
Among those nominated include Karate coach, Nayombe Muliyunda in coach of the year category, Virginia Chilongo in sports journalist of the year, Netball player, Beauty Nakazwe in sports woman of the year and young Drafts grandmaster William Chinzewe in junior sports man of the year category.
