In the afternoon, I met with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Ulemu Msungama on the six reform areas that the ministry is undertaking. These include the establishment of a sports marketing department, revision of management structure for sports, establishment of a National Sports Development Fund and development of standard guidelines for sports infrastructure.
It was, however, unfortunate to note that the Youth Department did not have any reform areas when the youth constitute over 70 percent of the country’s population. To this effect, I also suggested that a ministry that focuses on the youth should not lack funding because that is tantamount to ignoring 70 percent of the population.
Going forward, the ministry would like to introduce a flagship youth programme to holistically address youth empowerment and construct infrastructure across the country for recreation purposes for the youth.
I also challenged the ministry to take advantage of the K75 billion loan that the administration of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic, will be implementing so that the youth must benefit. The ministry should stand out as representatives of the biggest demographic group in the country.
As a way forward, I have advised the ministry to categorise the six areas of reform that the ministry presented into administrative, legislative and functional and then resubmit for further review.
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