Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 on Monday signed a Protocol Agreement with 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 Minister of Youth and Sport of Mozambique, Caifadine Paulo Manasse, and CEO of AUSC Region 5, Stanley Mutoya of Zimbabwe, signed the Protocol Agreement.
It sealed the commitment of both parties to deliver a Games edition that reflects 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,” the AUSC Region 5 said in a press statement 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 Agenda 2063 aspirations —particularly those focused on youth development, regional integration, health promotion, and cultural exchange.
The Games offer a platform for athletes aged under 20 to showcase their talents while fostering cross-cultural connections and nurturing future continental and global champions.
In line with the Region’s practice, Mozambique will have the privilege of proposing an additional sporting code to be added to the official programme for the 2026 Games edition, allowing the host country to showcase a discipline of national prominence and relevance.
“AUSC Region 5 is confident that Mozambique will deliver a Games edition that will be both memorable and impactful, leaving a legacy of infrastructure, youth capacity development, and strengthened partnerships,” AUSC Region 5 said.
