Final Communiqué of AUSC Region 5 Council Of Ministers Troika Virtual Conference Meeting

Sports Ministers To Assess Covid -19 Impact On Sport In The Region
1st April 2020
Regional Annual Sport Awards Postponed
8th April 2020
Sports Ministers To Assess Covid -19 Impact On Sport In The Region
1st April 2020
Regional Annual Sport Awards Postponed
8th April 2020

WE, the Troika of Ministers responsible for Sport of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Member Countries, during the virtual conference meeting held on the 2nd of April 2020.
NOTING with concern the impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on sport and its devastating magnitude to health and safety of nations globally.
NOTING with appreciation the swift intervention by Governments of all Member Countries in an effort to mitigate the effects of the virus and to flatten the infection curve
REALISING how sport has been made dysfunctional and the impact it has on the entire sports ecosystem in the world and in our Region
DETERMINED to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all sportsmen and sportswomen in the Region while ensuring the AUSC Region 5 business continuity during the period of restricted social distancing.
DESIROUS to ensure swift recovery of the sports sector post COVID-19 pandemic.

  1. WE HEREBY RESOLVE THAT: 1.1 In the unlikely event the pandemic continues to exist by July 2020, a decision be made to consider postponement of the Games to April/May 2021 under the same conditions in Lesotho and that the 2022 Games scheduled for Malawi remain unchanged. In the meantime, Lesotho be encouraged to continue preparing for the hosting of the Games.
    1.2 Due to the magnitude of the pandemic, and the fact that Governments are mobilising resources towards the fight against the spread of the virus, the date of payment of the first 50% of participation fees be deferred to 1 July 2020 and final payment be expected by 1 October 2020 to allow countries enough time to mobilise resources in the wake of recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    1.3 Noting that some countries may not be able to enter the full complement of teams as resolved by the Council of Ministers in November 2019 the resolution for a full compliment of teams be relaxed and deferred to apply for the 2022 Games. Countries will however still be encouraged to enter the largest numbers that ensure the credibility of the games is sustained and cognisance will be paid to the impact of the pandemic.
    1.4 The Regional Organising Committee for the 2020 Region 5 Youth Games ensures that Lesotho provides the strictest hygiene and clean environment for the Games to avoid any health epidemic outbreaks.
    1.5 Given the exposure of the Region to financial risk and in an effort to mitigate such and ensure sustainability and going concern of the organisation, the annual subscription fees be reviewed upwards from US20,000 per year to US$25,000 per year with effect from 2021.
    1.6 Member Countries be requested to consider additional ways of supporting the Region in order to sustain its functionality in the wake of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
    1.7 The decision by the Secretariat to suspend all activities of the Region with immediate effect be endorsed and that dates for all activities planned for the first half of the year be reconsidered once the virus has abated.
  2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Troika acknowledgements were extended to the following: 2.1 Governments of the ten Region 5 Member Countries for their efforts towards protecting their citizenry against the deadly pandemic and for providing measures to guarantee sustenance of nations during the period of this pandemic.
    2.2 All the frontline personnel for their dedication to saving lives while risking their own lives for the good of the greater public.
    2.3 Members of the Troika for availing their time for this meeting held on virtual platform for the first time.
    2.4 Members of the Secretariat for continuing to work diligently under very challenging circumstances.
    2.5 The sporting fraternity for their resilience during the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 calamity.
    2.6 Efforts by Lesotho in preparing to host the 2020 Region 5 Youth Games.
    MINISTERS FROM THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES ATTENDED THE MEETING
  3. Lesotho – Hon. Dr. Mahali Phamotse (MP) 2. Malawi – Hon. Francis Phiso 3. Botswana – Hon. Tumiso Rakgare