Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 on Monday officially announced the signing of a Protocol Agreement with the Government of Mozambique for the hosting of the 12th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games, scheduled to take place from December 4 to 13, 2026.
The agreement was formalised during a high-level ceremony in Maputo, where Mozambique’s Minister of Youth and Sport, Caifadine Paulo Manasse, and the Chief Executive Officer of AUSC Region 5, Stanley Mutoya of Zimbabwe, signed the Protocol Agreement.
This act sealed the commitment of both parties to deliver a Games edition that embodies the values of youth empowerment, regional integration, and sporting excellence.
“The AUSC Region 5 family expresses its deep gratitude to the Government of Mozambique for approving the hosting of this prestigious multi-sport event and conveys special appreciation to His Excellency, President Daniel Chapo, for his visionary support and unwavering commitment to uplifting the youth of Southern Africa through sport.
“His leadership signals a profound understanding of sport’s power to unify, educate, and inspire future generations,” AUSC Region 5 stated in a press release yesterday.
This edition will mark Mozambique’s second time hosting the Region 5 Youth Games, having successfully staged the inaugural edition in 2004.
The return of the Games to Mozambican soil, more than two decades later, is both a celebration of historical legacy and a reaffirmation of Mozambique’s pivotal role in the regional sporting landscape.
The Region 5 Youth Games serve as a vital implementation mechanism of the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport, and are closely aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations — particularly those focused on youth development, regional integration, health promotion, and cultural exchange.
The Games provide a platform for athletes under the age of 20 to showcase their talents, while fostering cross-cultural connections and nurturing future continental and global champions.
In line with regional practice, Mozambique will have the privilege of proposing an additional sporting code to be included in the official programme for the 2026 Games, allowing the host nation to highlight a discipline of national significance and relevance.
“AUSC Region 5 is confident that Mozambique will deliver a Games edition that is both memorable and impactful, leaving a legacy of infrastructure, youth capacity development, and strengthened partnerships,” the organisation said.
Preparations will commence immediately through joint planning processes led by a Local Organising Committee, supported by the AUSC Region 5 Regional Organising Committee.
The Region looks forward to working with all stakeholders in Mozambique to ensure that the 12th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games becomes a model of excellence, inclusion, and inspiration.
