African Commonwealth Games Associations briefed on Transformation 2022

Commonwealth Games Associations from 18 countries took part in the latest discussions regarding the Transformation 2022 strategic plan ©CGF

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive David Grevemberg has met with 18 African countries as the consultation process continues over the Transformation 2022 agenda.

Grevemberg discussed the new seven-year strategic plan, unveiled on April 1, with a delegation of CGF members, including Commonwealth Games Associations representatives from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and hosts Zambia, at the International Olympic Committee’s Sport for Hope Centre in Luskaa.

The delegation was completed by members from Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania and Uganda.

The meeting took place prior to Grevemberg travelling here to take part in the CGF Evaluation Commission’s four-day visit to inspect Durban's bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

It is planned that Transformation 2022 would come into effect at these Games, including changes to the sports programme.

“Transformation 2022 aims to place athletes, and the transformational impact of their achievements and performances on citizens and communities, at the heart of the Federation’s vision,” Grevemberg told insidethegames.

“And there is no better place to have such powerful discussions than in the incredible sporting continent of Africa.

“This is a defining moment for our African colleagues, as they unite to support the ambitions of Durban and South Africa in their bid to host an inclusive and inspiring Commonwealth Games in 2022.

“It is also a defining moment for the Commonwealth Sports Movement, as we plan ambitiously for the future and develop and deliver Transformation 2022 in partnership with our members”.

Zambia’s Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Mwale claimed African Commonwealth Games Association's have a "vital role" to play in helping deliver the strategic plan ©CGF

The strategic plan, due to put to a vote at the CGF General Assembly in Auckland on September 2, would see the Movement attempt to develop initiatives and commercial partnerships, create stronger ties with Commonwealth stakeholders and establish an Ambassador programme, in addition to altering the sports programme.

The latest meeting continues the CGF’s consultation process prior to the vote and Miriam Moyo, the CGF Regional vice-president for Africa, praised the discussions in Zambia.

“For Transformation 2022 to be the success we all want it to be, the on-going development and shared ambitions of the wider Commonwealth family are so important,” said Moyo, who co-hosted the delegation alongside Gideon Sam, CGF vice-president and President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

“We are therefore delighted that our members have had the opportunity to play an important part in the on-going consultations and discuss the plan’s opportunities and impacts ahead of our General Assembly in September.”

In addition to the talks regarding the Transformation 2022 strategic plan, the delegates took part in a tour of the Sport for Hope Centre and Olympic Youth Development Centre, which aims to support National Sport Federations and promote and facilitate access to sports for young athletes and local communities.