Africa-Press – Eswatini. It is time to export our talent, our culture, and our spirit, through sport. This powerful message echoed through the iNgwenyama Cup Prize Presentation ceremony as Sincephetelo MVA Fund (SMVAF) Board Chairman Zithulele Gina delivered a visionary address urging Eswatini to shift its mindset and seize the economic and national pride potential of sport.
Speaking in the presence of His Majesty King Mswati III and other dignitaries, Gina called on the nation to stop viewing sport merely as an extracurricular activity and instead embrace it as a viable and strategic export product that can boost Eswatini’s economy while placing its name proudly on the global stage.
“Your Majesty, I firmly believe there is no better time than now for us as a nation to stop viewing sport merely as an extracurricular activity to keep our youth occupied and away from social ills,” Gina declared. “Instead, we must begin to intentionally see sport as a viable and strategic export product for Eswatini, one that can generate significant economic value while uplifting our nation’s name globally.”
Referencing football star Lamin Yamal of Barcelona, Gina illustrated how a single player can earn over €15 million per season—equivalent to 0.36% of Eswatini’s GDP. “Imagine if we deliberately developed and exported just two of our own ‘Laminis’ each year,” he said. “Even earning a quarter of what he earns, they could generate nearly E173 million annually, about 0.20% of our GDP.”
Through its sponsorship of the iNgwenyama Cup, SMVAF is already contributing to this vision. “We are not merely funding an event, we are investing in the spirit of the nation,” Gina emphasized, noting how the tournament blends sport and culture while igniting national pride, unity, and ambition among the youth.
He described the tournament as “a gathering of hearts from all corners of Eswatini” and a living platform that celebrates heritage and fosters excellence. Under the visionary leadership of His Majesty, he added, the kingdom is shining as a beacon of cultural pride in a rapidly changing world.
As the applause filled the stadium and young athletes dreamed bigger, one message resonated above all: It is time for Eswatini to think global—because sport is not just a game. It is our next great export.
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