The Kingdom of Eswatini is officially hosting the Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games 2026, with delegates from 55 municipalities across the region in attendance. The participating municipalities are from Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Namibia. Eswatini is hosting this 20th year edition after Lesotho staged last year’s edition.
The regional spectacle officially kicked off with a grand opening ceremony at the Mavuso Sports Centre. Festivities commenced with a colorful march from Somhlolo Park in Manzini straight to the stadium at noon, drawing crowds of participants and roadside spectators. Top government dignitaries are expected to attend the opening event, led by Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini, Minister for Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala, and Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima.
The grand opening celebrations concluded at 6 pm, immediately paving the way for the opening football match, where the Nhlangano Town Council featured in the tournament’s opening fixture against Maseru. Action across over 12 competitive sporting codes will ramp up as the week progresses. Tomorrow morning, wellness events will take centre stage, featuring exciting competitions in cycling and aerobics.
A total of 55 municipalities are participating in the SAIMSA Games 2026, including 13 from South Africa, 9 from Botswana, 3 from Lesotho, and 4 from Namibia. Some of the notable participating municipalities from South Africa include Buffalo City Metropolitan, Madibeng Local Municipality, and City of Cape Town. From Botswana, Greater Gaborone, Gaborone City Council, and Kweneng-Letlhakeng District Council are in attendance.
Eswatini’s participating municipalities include Ngwenya Town Board, Municipal Council of Mbabane, Municipal Council of Manzini, and Malkerns Town Council. The games will feature various sporting codes, including football, cycling, and aerobics. The event aims to promote sports development and unity among municipalities in the region.
The SAIMSA Games 2026 provide a platform for municipalities to showcase their sports talent and promote community development. The games also offer an opportunity for participating municipalities to network and share best practices in sports development. The event is expected to boost tourism and economic growth in Eswatini.
The 20th SAIMSA Games will come to a close soon, with various teams competing for top honors in their respective sporting codes. The games have seen active participation from both athletes and spectators, creating a festive atmosphere in Eswatini. The successful hosting of the event is expected to leave a lasting legacy for sports development in the region.
Key points
- 55 municipalities from Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Namibia are participating in the SAIMSA Games 2026 in Eswatini.
- The games feature over 12 competitive sporting codes, including football, cycling, and aerobics.
- Top government dignitaries from Eswatini are in attendance, led by Prime Minister Russel Mmiso Dlamini.
