Sports 20 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ogwel Departs African Union Sports Council Board Stronger, More Structured
Bernard Patrick Ogwel has concluded his tenure as the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Advisory Board chairperson, leaving behind a more robust and strategically oriented organization. His leadership focused on institutional reform and the implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/ogwel-hands-over-stronger-african-union-board-5638896
Bernard Patrick Ogwel is concluding his four-year tenure as the chairperson of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Advisory Board, asserting that the organization he is handing over is significantly stronger and more structured than when he began. Ogwel, also the general secretary of Uganda’s National Council of Sports (NCS), made these remarks at the board’s Second Ordinary Session held in Kampala.
During his two two-year terms, Ogwel highlighted the AUSC Strategic Plan 2024–2028 as a key achievement. This plan provides a clear roadmap for sports development across the continent, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He noted that the council’s technical committees for sports development, the African Games, and finance are now fully operational. Furthermore, all five regional secretariats are active, a marked improvement from when only one region had a functional secretariat.
The board also introduced a digital monitoring and evaluation system, with coordinators appointed in each region and member states encouraged to designate officers. Ogwel stressed the importance of tracking progress and outcomes in all initiatives. The AUSC secretariat in Yaoundé, Cameroon, has also been strengthened with full-time staff.
Addressing critical issues, Ogwel raised concerns about doping and the use of performance-enhancing drugs among athletes, urging governments and National Olympic Committees to bolster national anti-doping organizations. He emphasized that athlete welfare should be central to all planning.
The African Games were identified as the primary revenue source for the council, and Ogwel appealed to member states to fulfill their subscription obligations and participate actively. New regulations for the Games will take effect from the 2027 edition in Egypt. He challenged the incoming board to view sport as an economic driver, promoting prize money, sponsorship, and enhanced marketing of the African Games brand.
The meeting also coincided with Uganda’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and its upcoming role as host of the 2031 African Games. Uganda has invested significantly in infrastructure for these events.
Source: Adapted from Daily Monitor (Uganda)