Eswatini shines on global sporting stage
Eswatini, in the South of Africa, is hosting Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board meeting this week, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to bringing events and activities to more Commonwealth nations.
Commonwealth Sport President Chris Jenkins said, ‘’Our mission is to build and maintain strong, meaningful partnerships with all our Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and enable them to actively contribute to the advancement of our Movement, and so this is a significant milestone for the Eswatini Commonwealth Games Association.
‘’We are committed to working with nations who may not have previously had the opportunity to host such meetings nor received the exposure in organising international sporting events.
‘’We are therefore delighted to collaborate with the Eswatini CGA in a way that will not only help to deepen their relationships within our Movement but also showcase the nation’s ability to host international events and enhance its global profile.”
The Eswatini meeting is part of the wider Commonwealth United strategy that includes establishing a diverse and sustainable hosting pipeline for Commonwealth Games and events. As part of this, Commonwealth Sport is committed to resetting and redefining the Commonwealth Games as a co-created, flexible, sustainable model that minimises costs – allowing more Commonwealth countries, including ones in Africa, to host the Games in the future.
Ahead of the official meeting on Friday 27 September, President Jenkins and CEO Katie Sadleir met Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Thuli Dladla, Sports Minister Bongani Nzima and Eswatini Commonwealth Games President Adam Mthethwa to discuss their national sports development strategy.
‘’We are greatly encouraged with what we have heard, and we support Eswatini’s ambitions in sport to strive for the podium and promote the benefits and positive impact of sport on Swazi society. We hope that the hosting of our Executive Board is a significant first step in hosting other Commonwealth Sport events and activities.’’
Following the Executive Board, President Jenkins is set to address the 23 National Governing Bodies for Sport in Eswatini at an official reception on Saturday 28 September.
While in Africa, the President will also visit Gabon – welcoming one of the newest members of the Commonwealth Sport Movement who were admitted at the General Assembly in November 2023 bringing the total number of independent member nations and territories to 74, the highest it has ever been.
Image: Commonwealth Sport Executive Board Members visit Eswatini Commonwealth Games Association. From L-R:
Backrow: Commonwealth Sport Medical Advisor: Dr. Peter Harcourt, Audit & Risk Committee Chair: Mary Hardy, Regional Vice-President Americas: Claire Carver-Dias, Regional Vice-President Oceania: Craig Phillips, Regional Vice-President Europe: Helen Phillips, Athlete Representative: Brendan Williams
Front Row: Regional Vice-President Caribbean: Ephraim Penn, Commonwealth Sport Vice President: Sandra Osborne, Eswatini CGA President: Adam Mthethwa, Commonwealth Sport President: Chris Jenkins, Commonwealth Sport Vice President: Hugh Graham and Regional Vice-President Africa: Colonel Botsang Tshenyego