South Africa to strengthen BRICS Sports Cooperation at India meeting

South Africa is set to strengthen sports cooperation with BRICS partner countries during the upcoming 2026 BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam, India.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe will represent Minister Gayton McKenzie at the high-level meeting, which will take place from 22 to 23 August 2026.

The meeting will be held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Mabe said South Africa’s participation would focus on identifying practical areas of collaboration that advance the shared priorities of BRICS countries.

She said sport had the ability to bring countries and people together while promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Mabe also stressed the importance of ensuring that BRICS cooperation contributes to sports development across Africa and the wider Global South.

“Our participation must contribute to tangible outcomes that bring sport closer to communities and strengthen development pathways, from grassroots participation to the highest levels of competition,” Mabe said.

She added that South Africa looked forward to working with BRICS partners to promote sport as a tool for unity, resilience and sustainable development.

Hosted by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the meeting will bring together sports ministers and representatives from BRICS member countries for discussions on strengthening cooperation in sport.

The meeting is expected to provide a platform for participating countries to discuss priority areas and develop practical and actionable outcomes.

The role of sport in building lasting friendships, promoting mutual understanding and encouraging cultural exchange among nations will also form part of the discussions.

A meeting of senior officials will take place ahead of the ministerial gathering, where the Joint Ministerial Declaration will be finalised.

BRICS sports ministers will then consider adopting the declaration, marking the conclusion of the participating countries’ joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in sport.