Haitengela urges Region 5 to ‘execute over excuses’

African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 board of advisors chairperson Mbumba Haitengela has urged the region’s sports leaders to stop blaming their failure to implement sports programmes on funding restrictions.He made the remarks at the official opening of the AUSC Region 5 board of advisors meeting held in Windhoek on Thursday and Friday, following the country’s successful hosting of the Youth Games from 4 to 13 July in Windhoek and Swakopmund.The event formed part of a series of closed-session commission and committee preparatory meetings, which convened on 6 November and ended on Friday, featuring representatives from the 10 member countries.According to the sports ministry, the leaders deliberated on policy matters, reviewed progress, and outlined next steps for regional initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, operational planning, and regional cooperation in sport and youth development.‘Our greatest obstacle is not funding’Haitengela, who also serves as executive director of Namibia’s sports ministry, acknowledged that financial resources remain a challenge in implementing regional sports programmes.“[However,] I submit that our greatest obstacle is not funding, but it’s mindset and ownership. If there’s a vision, there must be a way,” he noted.He thus called on member countries to “fully” own their regional sports agendas, be innovative, prioritise and mobilise resources accordingly.“We must therefore focus on changing the narrative from dependence to determination, from excuses to execution.“As the board of advisors, we are tasked to guide the council of ministers to move beyond promises and build real, lasting momentum towards collective success,” he indicated.Consolidate credibilityHighlighting the region’s credibility, he noted its partnerships with respected global institutions, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Confederation of African Football (CAF), and International Olympic Committee (IOC).Haitengela pointed out that it is their duty to protect and consolidate the region’s credibility, saying that “every decision we make, every programme we implement must reflect integrity, accountability and excellence.”“Our credibility as a region will ultimately be judged by our ability to implement programmes that make a real difference in communities and young people.“I therefore challenge this board to place special emphasis on the acceleration and monitoring of key strategic initiatives which we have agreed upon ourselves,” he remarked.‘Heartbeat of the region’The meeting was officially opened by sports deputy minister Dino Ballotti, who expressed confidence in the regional initiative, calling it essential.“I honestly believe that it’s not only a tick-box exercise, but truly the heartbeat of the region’s governance architecture.“It gives life to what we preach, which is accountability, strategic leadership, and united commitment to ensuring that the dreams of our young people are not left to chance,” he said.Highlighting the power of sport to build nations, unite communities and ignite economic opportunities, Ballotti stressed the need for strong systems to enable this vision to materialise.“We need to remain aligned with the larger continental aspirations, especially the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which positions sport as a catalyst for youth empowerment, cultural exchange and regional integration,” he noted.Ballotti implored sports leaders to create a sport-enabling environment in schools and communities, allowing sport to be a pillar of the regional economy and a vehicle for youth empowerment.Do not forget forebearersAlso speaking at the event, AUSC Region 5 CEO Stanley Mutoya urged member countries not to forget the forebearers who paved the way for the region to reach its current stage.“[Sports veterans] like Calor Garoës are pioneers of sport in the region who went out on a limb to get us here. They did not follow the standard – they set the standard!” he said.– mariud@nsh.com.na

Haitengela urges Region 5 to ‘execute over excuses’

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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Haitengela urges Region 5 to ‘execute over excuses’

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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