Ogwel replaced by Mendes as the AUSC meeting ends

In 2016, the African Union Assembly, composed of Heads of State and Government, approved the Statute of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC).

This effectively created the sports council, which became the African Union's dedicated sports office. The heads of state organised sports based on the AU's five geographical regions.

Chairpersons from these five regions—Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern—met in Kampala on October 19-20 at Mestil Hotel for the second ordinary session of the AUSC Advisory Board to coordinate sports policy, games, and youth development, aligning with the African Union's geographical structure.

The two-day session, also attended by AUSC Secretariat staff, ended with the election of the AUSC Sports Advisory Board Bureau.

Outgoing advisory board chairman Patrick Ogwel (2nd left) shakes hands with incoming chairman Júlio Ambali Mendes (center) as Chipande (left), Zenon Kasongo Kabamba and Abbas Bah (right) look on after the meeting. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Júlio Ambali Mendes, Permanent Secretary of Mozambique's Ministry of Youth and Sports and Secretary of the AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers, replaced outgoing advisory board chairman Patrick Ogwel.

Others elected were Congolese Zenon Kasongo Kabamba, Chairperson of AUSC Region 3 (Central Africa), and Abbas Bah from Gambia, who heads Region 2 and will serve as rapporteur. They will continue serving alongside Decious Chipande, Head and Coordinator of the AUSC secretariat, and Peninah Kabenge.

“So, this meeting was quite significant. During this meeting, the sports advisory board discussed various sports-related topics affecting African Union member states and the continent as a whole,” Chipande said.

“They talked about policy matters concerning sports development, using sports for development, the African Games, and other related subjects. It was also important because it marked the end of the current board's term.

“This board, led by Dr Ogwel as chairperson, along with other members, has worked hard during their tenure to get the African Union Sports Council's various bodies up and running effectively. They've ensured that member states are well-represented and speak with a unified voice on sports issues,” Chipande stated.

Mendes thanked the Ugandan government for hosting the second AUSC session. He said they reviewed the special activities the African Union organised across the five regions, coordinated by the African Union Advisory Council.

“We commend the excellent work done by the coordination team, led by Dr. Chipande. Our goal is to ensure every region is functioning effectively and that their efforts contribute to the advancement of sport across the entire African continent,” Mendes said.

Outgoing advisory board chairman Patrick Ogwel (seated-2nd left), incoming chairman Júlio Ambali Mendes (center), Chipande (left), Zenon Kasongo Kabamba (2nd righ) and Abbas Bah (right) pose with the other bureau members at Mestil Hotel. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We are confident that the deputy chair and all our colleagues will continue the work started by the outgoing chair, who is a fine individual from Uganda. We are committed to maintaining continuity and ensuring that field activities consistently promote the ongoing development of sport throughout Africa.”

Bah said they had been elected to ensure that in the next four years, they are able to work with all countries to develop sports across Africa. “We just want to assure everybody that this team will continue the good work that was being executed by the former chairperson, Dr. Ogwel, moving forward.”

Ogwel thanked the delegates for attending the important meeting, which redefined what we achieved in the last four years when he was chairman.

“It has been a great honour to serve in that capacity, a lot of learning, a lot of new things, but setting an agenda for African sports,” Ogwel said.

“You've probably heard about the African Union's Agenda 2063, which came out of its adopted strategic plan. So, the team has a plan to actually implement, and we're hoping they can help steer sports in Africa.”

“Even more significantly, the African Games are scheduled to take place in Uganda in 2031. Their arrival here proves our government's dedication to advancing sports. I'd like to express my gratitude to our government for their backing in hosting this event, particularly to the Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, and the board,” Ogwel stated.

Over the two days, they adopted the first Ordinary Session Report and recommendations, received reports from the Technical Committees on Finance, Sports for Development, and the African Games; and received a report from AUSC Region 5.