BY VUYISWA MABILA
MATSAPHA– The Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Honourable Bongani Nzima (MP), officially opened the ANOCA Zone VI Regional Workshop on Olympic Values Education and Clean Sport at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha on Monday, marking another proud milestone in Eswatini’s growing role in regional sports development.
Delivering his keynote address during the opening ceremony, Minister Nzima commended the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI, the Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), and the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) for hosting the workshop in Eswatini.
“It is my great honour to officially open this important regional workshop dedicated to Olympic Values Education and Clean Sport,” he said. “Your combined efforts demonstrate that the true power of sport lies not only in performance, but in the principles that sustain it — fairness, respect, and integrity.”
The Minister described Eswatini’s hosting of the event as a reflection of the nation’s commitment to ethics, education, and good governance in sport. He also acknowledged the continued support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Solidarity for their investment in athlete welfare and education.
Nzima reaffirmed government’s dedication to upholding international anti-doping standards and promoting clean sport through education.
“Education is a seed planted in every athlete’s heart, teaching them that greatness without integrity is hollow,” he emphasized.
He further revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with EOCGA and the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC), is integrating Olympic Values Education into national youth programmes and schools to nurture disciplined, respectful, and value-driven young athletes.
The four-day ANOCA Zone VI OVEP and Clean Sport Workshop, which runs from October 27 to 30, 2025, brings together delegates from ten Southern African countries. The workshop seeks to strengthen leadership, enhance regional cooperation, and promote the teaching of Olympic values and clean sport education throughout the Zone.
