Luanda: Angolan Minister of Youth and Sports, Rui Falco, on Friday in Luanda said that the next 50 years should be dedicated to building excellence in schools, institutions, national sports, and youth. The minister made this statement in his opening speech at the Higher Sports Council, held today at the 11 de Novembro stadium, arguing that the country's future will be determined by the talent that is developed, the discipline, and the vision that is realized.

According to Angola Press News Agency, Rui Falco stressed that this responsibility begins with those present, as the first 50 years of national independence were dedicated to building the Nation with a generation of men and women who assumed this goal. They are now called upon to prepare the country for the next 50 years. To achieve this, one must think beyond annual cycles, mandates, and immediate competitions, and focus on the Angola of the future.

Rui Falco said that the objective should not only be to participate in the biggest stages in Africa and the world, but also to lead the competitions. "No country achieves extraordinary results by chance; great results are always a consequence of strategic vision, consistent work, and responsible leadership," he emphasized.

He concluded that the decisions to be taken within this Council will have an impact for decades, on the generation that currently attends local schools and on the generation that will lead Angola in the coming decades. Minister Falco stressed that Angola must embrace the legitimate ambition of becoming one of Africa's leading sporting powers in the next 20 years, based on the talent of its youth, the quality of its institutions, excellence in training, science, innovation, and good governance.

He also mentioned the need to continue strengthening sports medicine, investing more in the training of coaches, referees, and sports managers, as well as ensuring greater social protection for sports agents, particularly coaches and athletes, and bringing sport closer to Angolan communities, schools, and families.

During the council, topics related to presenting the degree of compliance with the recommendations of the 5th Higher Sports Council will be addressed. The proposals, references, and contributions also include the need to amend Law No. 5/14 of May 20, the Sports Law, and Law No. 6/14 of May 23, the Sports Associations Law.

Contributions to the structure of the social security legislative system for various sports agents-athletes, coaches, and referees-are also included. Perspectives on the actions of the inspection and control office for physical and sporting activities were among the topics recorded in the council.