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Sports Reporter
THE African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Troika of Ministers has declared that their chief executive Stanley Mutoya of Zimbabwe will not be leaving the Region just yet.
Mutoya had announced his departure from the Region in his speech during the Closing Ceremony of the 9th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games in Maseru, Lesotho, on December 12, 2021.
He was scheduled to move to Switzerland to join an international organisation as the Chief Operations Officer with effect from March 1, 2022.
The Region 5 Troika of Ministers of Sport Chairperson, Likeleli Tampane, who is also Lesotho’s Minister of Gender, Youth, Sport and Recreation, said: “The Troika of Ministers learnt with shock and sadness of the intention by the Chief Executive Officer Mr Stanley Mutoya to resign from his position after 10 years of loyal service”.
Tampane went further to add: “As Troika, we do not doubt the commitment by the CEO to the advancement of the Region. We as Troika therefore resolved to request Mr Mutoya to reconsider his position and revert to his position as CEO.”
Mutoya joined the then Supreme Council for Sport in Africa Zone VI on November 1, 2011, as the General Manager, before ascending to be the first Region 5 chief executive in 2016, a position he held up to date.
Before then, he had been serving as the chief executive of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.
Mutoya is an astute and energetic sports administrator who has transformed the Region to its current enviable status.
Region 5 is the only vibrant Region in Africa with functional structures and programmes. The Region has transformed into a hub of sporting excellence under Mutoya’s leadership and in the process endearing itself as a global opinion leader on matters of sport and sports for development as well as athlete excellence.
Mutoya has not only been adding value to the Region 5 sports movement. His influence has been felt globally and in Africa where he has been influential in driving several missions.
In June 2020, Mutoya was appointed to serve as the Chairperson of the African Union Technical Committee on African Games scheduled for Accra, Ghana in 2023.
Prior to that, Mutoya was the lead facilitator in the review of the African Union Sports Policy for Sustainable Development which is due to be tabled for consideration by the AU Specialised Technical Committee of Ministers of Youth, Culture and Sport in February 2022.
In addition, Mutoya works with the Women Sport International where he is a member of the Task Team.
Within Region 5, Mutoya’s presence has been felt in the transformation of the organisation. He was influential in the development of the current Region 5 Strategic Plan.
Under his leadership, the Region was able to introduce the Podium Performance Programme (PPP), Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), the Regional Marathon, Women Leadership Programme (WLP), Paralympic Week, Regional Museum project and Female Leaders of Tomorrow (FLOT) programmes.
Just recently, Mutoya spearheaded the organisational re-engineering model which will see Region 5 transforming its strategy, structure, skills and programmes.
The model was approved by Ministers on December 2, 2020. The new structure will be put into effect following approval of the revised Region 5 Constitution in January 2022.
One of Mutoya’s greatest strengths has been in driving the Region 5 Commercialisation process. The Region 5 Games have been elevated to becoming a competent product that now attracts broadcasters.
Some corporates have been lured to be part of the Region 5 Games and in the process elevating the Region 5 and Games brand visibility. Through Mutoya’s leadership, Region 5 has received global recognition as an opinion leader and has been invited to share their experiences at various global conferences and symposia.
This has led to several partnerships being created with international organisations such as the Global E-Sports Federation, The Association for International Sports For All (TAFISA) and University of Johannesburg.
The value added by Mutoya to the Region 5 trajectory is conspicuous and unquestionable. The Region 5 Troika of Ministers this decided to persuade Mutoya to stay and serve his Motherland. There is a strong sentiment from the Region 5 Ministers of sport that Mutoya still has a lot to offer to the Region and its young people through sport. In honour of the value that Mutoya has added to the Region, the Council of Ministers conferred a Ten-Year Service Award on Mutoya as well as Petros Mrape and Masego Lesotlho (Region 5 staffers) and Dr Nicholas Munyonga of Zimbabwe.
Mutoya is renowned for having played a pivotal role in the successful hosting of the 9th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games held in Maseru, Lesotho.
His leadership qualities and guidance in host capacity as the regional Organising Committee (ROC) Chairperson contributed immensely towards the successful staging of the Games under an extremely difficult environment. His ability to coordinate Regional Sports Confederations and Local Organising Committee together with the Government of Lesotho was highly commended by the Council of Ministers during their Ordinary session on 2 December 2021.
Region 5 Troika of Ministers has been unequivocal on their willingness to retain Mutoya’s service to Region 5.
“On behalf of the Troika of Minsters, I wish to reiterate that while we do not regard the CEO as an untouchable officer, there is need now and in the future for the office of the CEO to be granted the respect befitting that office. We cannot afford to frustrate our own people who are willing to give their expertise for the advancement of our organisation and transformation of our people,” Tampane said.
The stance by the Region 5 Council of Ministers deserves to be commended. Most of the times, Africa celebrates and adores those from other parts of the world at the expense of their own.
Mutoya has indeed been a real sports Ambassador for Zimbabwe and the Region 5 Sports Movement.
It is time our African countries recognise and value their own outstanding cadres serving Africa as loyal patriotic sons and daughters of the soil.
Online Reporter