The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games torch has passed through Zambia ahead of the 12th edition of the games, set for December 4 to 13, 2026, in Maputo, Mozambique. The torch was received at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka by athletes and Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe. Speaking during the ceremony, Chileshe said the torch represented friendship, unity and peace among young people in the Southern African region. He said the games give young athletes a platform to gain international experience while building discipline, teamwork, resilience, confidence and respect for fair play. “Zambia has a strong record at the games. At the 2025 edition in Windhoek, Namibia, the Under-20 women’s football team won gold without losing a match, scoring 26 goals and conceding none. We will be looking to build on that performance when the team travels to Maputo,” he said. Chileshe said Government continued to see sport as an important part of youth development and had invested more than K600 million in national sports associations and federations over the past five years. He said more than K30 million had also been channelled to local authorities for community sports programmes. The Permanent Secretary also called for greater protection of young athletes, particularly minors, from abuse, exploitation and discrimination. He urged the athletes, coaches and officials heading to Mozambique to remain disciplined and respect their opponents, teammates and officials. “To our athletes, coaches and officials, you are ambassadors of Zambia. Represent the country with pride and dignity,” Chileshe said. National Sports Council of Zambia Chief Executive Officer Sombwa Musunsa said Zambia would send 146 athletes to compete in 15 sports codes. Musunsa commended the national sports associations for identifying and nurturing young talent and urged the athletes to take advantage of the opportunity to gain experience at regional level. National Olympic Committee of Zambia President Alfred Foloko, represented by NOCZ Treasurer Victor Bwalya Banda, said the torch demonstrated the power of sport to unite people, inspire young athletes and create opportunities for young people. Meanwhile, Maputo Local Organising Committee representative Conceicao Francisco said Mozambique was ready to host the games and described the torch as a symbol of unity, friendship, brotherhood and sporting excellence among young people in the region. The athletes also pledged to compete with integrity and give their best as they seek to make Zambia proud. The Region 5 Youth Games bring together athletes under the age of 20 from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The torch has since left Zambia for Zimbabwe as it continues its journey through the region ahead of the games.