Belarus, Zimbabwe strengthen ties in sports

President of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko held talks with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe.

During the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the need to expand their partnership and strengthen sports ties between the countries. Viktor Lukashenko noted that he was glad to welcome the distinguished guest to Belarus and to the Olympic Committee.



“You know how close the relations between our countries are. We cooperate effectively in various fields. President Aleksandr Lukashenko calls the head of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa his brother. We truly have brotherly relations. I am confident that close cooperation will be established between the sports agencies and the Olympic committees of our two nations. You have a heroic career, and together with President Mnangagwa, you have done a great deal to ensure your country’s independence. I would like to note that Zimbabwe holds a special place in the development of sports on the African continent. Last year, Kirsty Coventry, a representative of Zimbabwe, became the head of the International Olympic Committee. Our dialogue with the IOC president has left us with a very favorable impression. Kirsty Coventry has already taken certain steps, and thanks to her efforts, we have begun the journey toward the lifting of sports sanctions. I hope for further positive developments in this area,” Viktor Lukashenko said.



The president of Belarus’ NOC emphasized that the African continent is playing an increasingly significant role in world sports, and the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, in October-November 2026 will further contribute to this trend.

Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe expressed gratitude for such a warm welcome in Belarus. He was impressed by the country’s potential for developing physical culture and sports.

“Yesterday, we visited several sites in Minsk and saw firsthand the capabilities of your country in developing sports. The University of Physical Culture has a modern infrastructure essential for training top athletes, and we also learned in detail about the operations of the National Scientific and Practical Center for Sport. You have excellent people, specialists, coaches, and doctors, and we are ready to consider opportunities for joint training of our athletes in various sports, including the training of Zimbabwean athletes in Belarus for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar,” Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe noted.




The guests also visited the exhibition at the NOC of Belarus and learned about the major achievements of Belarusian sports. The Zimbabwean delegation’s itinerary includes visits to the National Centre for Olympic Training in Tennis and the Water Sports Palace.

Belarusian Sports Minister Sergei Kovalchuk and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Zimbabwe to Belarus Ignatius Graham Mudzimba also took part in the talks held at the National Olympic Committee of Belarus.



The day before, Belarus and Zimbabwe concluded a Memorandum of Understanding, which laid the foundation for fruitful cooperation in physical culture and sports.

Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe took over the Zimbabwean Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture from Kirsty Coventry – the legendary two-time Olympic champion who became the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March 2025.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus