Malawi has sent a delegation to the 2024 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Sports for People with Disabilities (SPWD) conference in Gaborone, Botswana.
The conference, which ends today, started on Wednesday with Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) Director of Sports Development and Recreation Ivy Chinangwa, Paralympic Malawi President James Chiutsi and his vice George Galanje, Malawi Olympic Committee President Jappie Mhango, Ministry of Sports Deputy Director of Sports Justice Msopera and MNCS Marketing Officer Faith Mlauzi in attendance.
According to an AUSC Region 5 statement, Malawi is playing a critical role in the conference, both in the review process and the development of the 2024 to 2028 SPWD workplan.
The conference, held under the theme ‘Inclusion Revolution,’ aims at developing strategies to address current issues affecting people with disabilities (PWD), with a particular focus on women and girls with disabilities in the post-Covid-19 era.
The conference also aims at creating a revised regional SPWD action plan that will serve as a reference framework for member countries.
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“In addition, the conference will review the five pillars of the regional action plan, which include capacity development, advocacy and partnerships, governance and policy development, long-term athlete and coach development, and resource and sustainability.
“Furthermore, there will be a review of the Lilongwe declaration to assess the extent to which the stated outcomes were achieved,” part of the statement reads.
AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers chairperson Agnes Tjongarero said the conference is taking place at a crucial time when it is necessary for the global community and the region to address key challenges that hinder full participation of PWD in sports and sustainable development.
“We are hopeful that this conference will result in the achievement of planned outcomes and produce results that will have a lasting impact on SPWD in the region. Beyond this conference, we aim at seeing increased equality and inclusion in all aspects of development including sports for persons with disabilities.
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“Our shared vision should redefine the narrative on SPWD issues, creating a safe and conducive environment that enables everyone to thrive equally in sports and sustainable development,” Tjongareo said.
AUSC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Mutoya said the conference will provide an opportunity for the region to assess its performance and that of its member countries in relation to the development of SPWD.
“The discussions will heavily focus on adopting aggressive measures and interventions to enhance programs and activities related to SPWD, with the aim of reaching out to as many beneficiaries as possible.
“Participants, including decision-makers, policy-makers, scholars and industry experts, are expected to help chart the way forward in addressing current and emerging issues in SPWD,” Mutoya said.
Ten sports commissions/councils and sports for development organisations from the region’s member countries are taking part in the conference.
Malawi was the first country to host the Sports for People with Disabilities conference in Lilongwe in 2015.
