Mbabane – Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima has launched the 2025/2026 Tinkhundla Talent Search Competition, which will feature football and netball leagues across all 59 tinkhundla centres.
The launch took place at Esibayeni Lodge, attended by members of the Sports Portfolio Committee from both Houses of Parliament. Nzima explained that for the first time, the competition will begin at chiefdom level instead of tinkhundla level, giving more young people the chance to showcase their skills. He added that the new league format would replace the traditional knockout structure.
During the event, the minister also presented E265,000 to athletes who excelled in international competitions. He went on to formally accept the Los Angeles 2028 Athlete Scholarship Programme, worth E6 million, supported by Olympic Solidarity and the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. 
The scholarship will benefit seven outstanding athletes across five sporting codes, offering them the resources needed to prepare for professional competition. Nzima told the gathering that the programme will help shift local sport from mere participation to professionalism, opening opportunities for young people to build sustainable careers in sport.
