Developed by South African entrepreneur Madoda Khuzwayo in conjunction with Nik Eberl, the creator of a Peer-to-Peer Mentoring System, the project is seen as a way to use the Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games as a catalyst to stimulate wider development.

Billed as a "hybrid social networking movement", it will provide young people with free access to all manner of courses, skills, mentorship, networking and opportunities to offer services to providers involved in the Games.  

These opportunities range from driver training to transporting the expected influx of tourists, to acting as entertainers and in areas ranging from construction to hospitality and catering and everything in between. 

A mobile app will also be provided, with it hoped the project will be rolled-out across the 71 countries and territories which make up the CGF.

“The concept of Nation of Champions is pure genius in its simplicity and formidable in its ambition," said David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of the CGF. 

"By harnessing the online social power of the Internet, Nation of Champions will support the development of a learned and sharing economy that aims to connect young citizens with opportunities in order to nurture a sustainable and prosperous citizen and workforce base.

"That benefits South Africa and the nations of the Commonwealth in the lead-up to the Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games and beyond.”

Speaking to insidethegames today, Grevemberg praised South African organisers for setting up the scheme so quickly just three weeks after being awarded the Games at the CGF General Assembly in Auckland. 

He also emphasised how it fits in with the CGF's Transformation 2022 Agenda unanimously passed in Auckland.

All young people from Grade 10 - aged 16 - onwards will be encouraged to register on the platform and take advantage of the programmes already on offer, with Khuzwayo believing that it can provide the gateway for "youth to dream and be inspired to go beyond what they see just in front of them, to believing they can achieve".

This is a win-win for all concerned, it is claimed, particularly as "Nation of Champions" is also a socially minded commercial business in its own right and not reliant on funding, hand-outs or donations.

The project will mainly derive its revenue from "digitally optimised advertising enhanced by sponsorship and enterprise development support".

It is "ideally positioned" to be a hub for brands, products and services looking to engage with the youth sector, while developing and growing all sporting codes, especially at grassroots level. 

“Nation of Champions is about ensuring that young people are aware of the opportunities that the Commonwealth Games of 2022 will avail to them," added South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) President Gideon Sam, who has also been revealed today as chairman of Nation of Champions.

"Acquiring skills remains a priority for all young people in South Africa and in the Commonwealth territories. 

"If these young people can find a way to talk to each other about their own efforts to acquire requisite skills, then hosting of the Games in Durban in 2022, would work towards helping young people achieve their dreams.”

As well as Sam, Madoda Khuzwayo will serve as chief executive with support from Mnive Nhlabathi as chief revenue officer and Nik Eberl as chief marketing officer.

More information can be found here. 

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