The Eswatini Government is set to pay athletes a combined E125 000 after the country collected 15 medals across three months of international competition. The payments will be made through the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council as part of the official programme designed to reward athletes who deliver podium finishes on the continental and international stage. This initiative aims to motivate athletes to perform well in various competitions.
According to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs' second quarter performance report, Eswatini participated in eight competitions from July to September. Only three teams returned home with medals. Swimming led the charge with a haul of 11 medals, comprising one gold, five silver, and five bronze medals, at the African Aquatics Zone V Championships in Botswana in early September.
The Eswatini National Darts Association added one silver and two bronze medals from the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Championships, also held in Botswana in August. Additionally, the men's national netball team brought home a silver medal at the Africa Netball Cup hosted by Kenya. These performances contributed to Eswatini's overall medal tally.
Under the current government policy, a gold medal is worth E20 000, a silver medal carries E10 000, and a bronze is valued at E5 000. The 15-medal tally therefore amounts to E125 000, where E20 000 is for the single gold, E70 000 for the seven silvers, and E35 000 for the seven bronzes. This reward system is in place to encourage athletes to strive for excellence.
Other teams, including Team Eswatini in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 46th Chess Olympiad, came home empty-handed from major events that offered podium prizes of up to E50 000 for gold. Despite not advancing past their initial preliminary rounds, the teams celebrated several season-best performances in athletics and swimming.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has recommended a series of long-term measures aimed at lifting the country's competitive standing. These include expanding high-performance training camps, increasing international match exposure for national teams, and upgrading local facilities for combat sports and athletics tracking. Such steps are deemed essential for Eswatini to convert more of its international appearances into podium finishes.
The ministry's recommendations aim to address the current challenges faced by Eswatini athletes and provide a supportive environment for them to excel. By implementing these measures, the country hopes to improve its performance in various international competitions and increase its medal tally in the future.
Key points
- The Eswatini Government will pay out E125 000 in rewards to athletes who won 15 medals across three months of international competition.
- Swimming led the charge with 11 medals, comprising one gold, five silver, and five bronze medals.
- The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has recommended long-term measures to improve the country's competitive standing.
