Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, has called on African nations to invest more aggressively in sporting institutions, modern infrastructure and professional leagues.
Speaking during an interview with the African Union’s Public Relations and Communications Team on the African Sporting Century (TASC) initiative on the margins of the Forty-Ninth Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, yesterday, Prof. Murwira said Africa has reached a defining moment in its sporting journey.
“Africa has never lacked talent. Our young people continue to demonstrate extraordinary sporting abilities and have consistently competed at the highest levels internationally.
What we must now do is invest deliberately in the institutions, infrastructure and professional ecosystems that will enable this talent to flourish here at home,” said Prof. Murwira.
He added that sport should no longer be viewed solely as recreation or competition but as a strategic economic sector capable of creating employment opportunities and attracting investment.
“Sport is a powerful catalyst for youth empowerment, economic growth, tourism, investment and diplomacy. When properly developed, it creates jobs, stimulates industries, attracts international partnerships and strengthens social cohesion.
The African Sporting Century initiative presents us with an opportunity to position sport as an integral pillar of Africa’s development agenda,” he said.
Prof. Murwira said investing in stadiums, training facilities and professional sporting leagues would not only benefit athletes but also create sustainable value chains that support national economies.
“We must build world-class sporting institutions that identify and nurture talent from the grassroots level. We must establish professional leagues that provide viable careers for our young people and develop infrastructure that meets international standards. Africa has the talent; what remains is for us to match that talent with strategic investment,” he said.
The Minister described the election of Zimbabwean national Ms. Kirsty Coventry as President of the International Olympic Committee as a historic milestone for both Zimbabwe and the African continent.
“Her election is a landmark achievement that reflects Africa’s growing leadership in global sport. It sends a powerful message to our young people that there are no limits to what Africans can achieve when excellence is matched with opportunity.
It inspires confidence in the future of African sport and reinforces our collective responsibility to invest in that future,” he said.
Prof. Murwira concluded by saying, Africa is well positioned to usher in a new sporting era anchored on innovation, excellence and inclusive growth, adding that the continent must seize the moment to transform its sporting potential into lasting prosperity.
