TAFISA and BNSC Advance Preparations for the 30th TAFISA World Congress

Preparations for the 30th TAFISA World Congress took an important step forward from 27 - 30 July 2026, as TAFISA Senior Consultants Game Mothibi and Stacey Kim visited Gaborone, Botswana, for four days of strategic and operational workshops and stakeholder engagements with the Local Organising Committee and Congress Secretariat.

 

Taking place from 17 - 21 October 2027, and hosted by the Botswana National Sport Commission, the Congress will bring together leaders, policymakers, researchers, practitioners and organisations from around the world to exchange ideas, showcase innovative practices and shape the future of the global Sport for All Movement. The 30th TAFISA World Congress will mark the first time the event is hosted in Botswana and the first return to the African continent since the 17th TAFISA World Congress was held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2001. It presents a unique opportunity to showcase Botswana's leadership on the international stage while strengthening Sport for All across the country, the region and beyond.

Shaping the Congress and its Legacy

The first part of the visit focused on defining the Congress aims and objectives, exploring potential themes and sub-themes, and discussing the outcomes and legacy that Gaborone 2027 should seek to achieve.

Discussions considered how the Congress can serve as a platform to inspire action and influence policy by bringing together perspectives from sport, health, education, urban planning, business and government. Participants examined emerging global trends and priorities, with particular attention given to topics such as investment in Sport for All, active societies, cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based policymaking, inclusion and the long-term sustainability of Sport for All initiatives.

The workshop also explored the desired outcomes of the Congress and how Gaborone 2027 can drive meaningful impact beyond the event itself, creating lasting value for Botswana, Africa and the global Sport for All Movement.

On 29–30 July, the focus shifted to detailed Congress planning and training. TAFISA and the Secretariat worked through the key areas required to deliver the event, including governance, programme development, communications, registration, accommodation, transportation, venue operations, protocol, stakeholder engagement and participant services. The sessions reviewed key milestones, and provided practical guidance to ensure preparations continue in a coordinated and structured manner over the coming months.

Beyond the workshops, the visit placed a strong emphasis on engaging key stakeholders whose support and collaboration will be instrumental to the success of the Congress.

A dedicated session with Botswana's National Sport Associations introduced the Congress and the wider Sport for All Movement, while encouraging the associations to consider how they can contribute to the event and further integrate Sport for All principles into their activities.

To strengthen collaboration beyond the sport sector, meetings were also held with the Gaborone City Council, where Acting Town Clerk Mosidi Batsalelwang and Council representatives explored opportunities for partnership, including alignment with the City's Active City initiative and broader efforts to promote physical activity and active living in Gaborone.

The four-day visit marked another important milestone on the road to Gaborone 2027, strengthening collaboration between TAFISA, the Organising Committee, the Secretariat and key national stakeholders while translating strategic discussions into concrete action.