Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SANET STEENKAMP might have come and gone but the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Council of Ministers chairperson’s parting words are sure to leave an indelible mark on both Zimbabwe and the region for years to come. The Namibian Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture was recently in the country for the seventh edition of the Regional Annual Sports Awards, staged in Harare at the weekend.
And she appeared to enjoy her stay.
“Indeed, it is a profound honour for me and with real gratitude, I express our warm and most sincere appreciation for the warmth and the hospitality, the excellence with which the seventh edition of the Regional Annual Sports Awards was held,” said Steenkamp.
“Thank you so much for hosting us.
“We are indeed delighted, as other SADC countries.
“More than that, we are deeply grateful that even in the wake of hosting the just-ended SADC Summit and ministerial meetings, the government of Zimbabwe made it a priority to invest time and energy — everything that is beautiful tonight in this event. Steenkamp then went to challenge her regional counterparts to put more effort into athlete welfare and mental health.
“To all athletes, coaches, administrators and media professionals, I want to issue a collective challenge to the Region 5 sports movement.
“We have to remain resolute in our pursuit of our athletes’ welfare.
“Mental health is of critical importance.
“How to navigate the storms and the difficulties that our athletes are facing — they have to be guided.
“Let us also ensure not just the well-being, the development, but also the protection of our athletes,” she said.
The Namibian minister added, “athletes must remain central to all our policies and our programmes.
“It is only by doing so that we will be able to create lasting systems of excellence.
Steenkamp went on to stress the importance of investment, challenging the region to put the work on the individual rather than events.
“To the member States, I also want to extend a renewed challenge for all of us to evolve in our investment.
“Invest long-term into our athletes, coaches and administrator development frameworks. “We have to know that we need to move from event-based support and excellency.
“So, we want to move on from event-based support to much more sustainable and structured pathways, knowing that these will indeed produce the world-class talent with character, with purpose and with staying power,” she said.
“I invite you all to continue this journey with us as we shift our attention to Namibia, where we will host the 11th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games and we look forward to meeting you all in July 2025 with the same beautiful energy and commitment that you’ve seen here today and with unity that we are celebrating tonight.”
