The African Union of Sports Council (AUSC) advisory board meeting was held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on October 19-20, where they will elect the new leadership.
The two-day assembly was officially opened by the National Council of Sports board Chairman Ambrose Tashyobya.
“Hosting this meeting in Uganda is a vote of confidence in what Uganda is able to do. This goes a long way to speak to what Uganda is doing in positioning ourselves as a sports hosting hub but I want to take the opportunity to thank the board for having the meeting in Uganda,” noted Tashobya.
He asked the board to position Africa as a major contributor to sports in the world.
“Africa is growing very fast in sports. Africa is going to get much stronger economically through sports due to the youthful population – which is a resource to marketable sports. We need to provide infrastructure and this advisory board advises the ministers of Africa and we hope they can raise this and take it to that level,” added Tashobya.
Uganda’s Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel haned over the leadership after serving his two terms from 2022.
“I have served my two years -which are two years each and I am proud of the milestones. It is good that we have hosted the advisory board in Uganda but also receive the confirmation of Uganda hosting the African games in 2031,” noted Ogwel.
Ogwel, who is also the National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary, has been lauded for the tremendous achievements registered during his leadership.
“The incoming board should also continue providing strong support and strategic guidance to the secretariat. I remain confident that, through continued collaboration and commitment, the AUSC will further strengthen its contribution to the achievement of Agenda 2063 and the development of sport across Africa,” noted Ogwel.
Under Ogwel, the board has overseen the development of the AUSC five-year strategic plan (2024-2028), providing a clear framework for the growth and development of sport. In addition, the introduction of digital monitoring and evaluation systems has enhanced accountability, reporting, performance tracking, and evidence-based decision-making.
AUSC has continued to advance key continental priorities, including safeguarding in sport, sports integrity, anti-doping, sport for development, gender equality, disability inclusion, capacity building, and the governance of the African games.
“I encourage the incoming board to continue providing strong support and strategic guidance to the secretariat, continue championing the interests of member states and to maintain a strong focus on the African games, which remain the flagship multi-sport event of our continent and a powerful symbol of African unity, excellence, and solidarity, ensuring the sustainability, credibility, ownership and long-term success of the African games, added Ogwel.
The incoming advisory board chairperson Julio Mendes from Mozambique wants conditions created to develop sports in Africa.
“We will continue to lead the discussion. We will need many people to continue participating in sport. The meeting discussed many things on how to develop sports in Africa. The discussion was good and I think we shall continue to improve,” noted Mendes.
The Africa Union Sports Council advisory board advises the council of ministers on the strategies for the development and promotion of sports in Africa through the technical and finance committees as well as the African Games.
Uganda won the bid to host the 2031 African Games.
