Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
AUSC Region 5 successfully concluded a transformative Classification Workshop for visually impaired athletes, held from 23 to 25 April in Gaborone, Botswana.
The initiative brought together optometrists and technical officials from ten Southern African nations, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as the region finalises preparations for the 11th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games, set to take place in Namibia this July.
Led by Ugandan classification specialist Joseph Sebwana, the workshop aimed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct fair, evidence-based classifications, ensuring that visually impaired athletes compete equitably.
“We’ve taken a major step forward in levelling the playing field. This workshop wasn’t just about technical standards; it was about recognising talent, ensuring fair representation, and building systems that respect every athlete’s right to compete,” said Sebwana.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions covering athlete identification, assessment protocols, and standardised classification practices, fostering a collaborative environment for cross-border learning and capacity building.
The event concluded just ahead of the Final Entry by Name deadline on Wednesday, positioning Region 5 strongly for inclusive success at the Youth Games in Windhoek and Swakopmund.
AUSC Region 5 Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mutoya commended the initiative: “This is how we ensure no athlete is left behind. We’re proud to build capacity that enables all athletes, regardless of ability, to compete on fair and empowering terms.”
The workshop is a key component of Region 5’s broader inclusion strategy, which this year includes the debut of Special Olympics competitions and an Inter-Ministerial Forum on Inclusion. Complementing these efforts, the Making Noise campaign will launch a regional digital awareness drive alongside a Live Assistive Technologies for Sport Exhibition, featuring adaptive experiences like wheelchair basketball and blindfolded sprints.
