19 Dec 2021

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development is optimistic that some Batswana will benefit from the African Union Sport Commission (AUSC) Region 5 offices hosted in the country.

Speaking after signing a new hosting agreement between government and AUSC recently, Minister Tumiso Rakgare said continuing to host the region, as AUSC is known,  would be beneficial in different ways, including creating jobs for Batswana as well as assisting in developing sport in the country.

Rakgare said the agreement followed a document that was recently sent to Cabinet proposing to continue hosting the Region and permission was granted, hence the signing of a new agreement.

“Botswana is honoured and privileged to be hosting AUSC Region 5 offices.  The hosting agreement is critical in managing relations with the African Union, particularly in matters relating to sport development.

This will also position Botswana well in terms of sport development and the country will be known in sport circles,” he said.

He noted that the AUSC secretariat had six employees, four of which were Batswana, adding that there were three posts that would soon be filled by locals.

“The secretariat will expand over the years and that will result in more Batswana being employed,” he said.

Again, he said in 1999, some member countries proposed that Botswana hosted the AUSC Region 5 Secretariat.

“They had valid reasons and one of the reasons was that they noticed that Botswana had a very strong and stable currency.

Ever since the secretariat moved to Botswana in 1999, there had been wise use of resources and accountability,” he said.

Meanwhile, he applauded the Botswana team that competed at the AUSC Region 5 games held in Lesotho recently.

“Having ended in second position, we now aim to move up to first position in Malawi next year,” Rakgare said. Ends