The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development says the incorporation of Intellectual Property in sport has the potential of contributing to the growth of the country’s economy.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Child Development Moses Mawere said the sports industry has a growing impact on the global economy as it creates jobs, investments in public infrastructure and mobilizing resources.
Hon. Mawere was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by ministry representative Bessie Chelemu on the occasion of the commemoration of the World Intellectual Property Day organized by Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) at the NASDEC Sports Complex in Lusaka today.
“Intellectual Property Rights are the legal protection to help secure the economic value sports, which in turn stimulates growth of the sports industry, enabling sports organisations to finance high profile events and provide the means tom promote sports development in thus the need to harness this potential,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that government’s decision to revise the National Sports Policy seeks to create needed enabling environment conducive to the development of sports and IP with Zambia.
He added: “Plans are underway to repeal and replace the current Trademarks’ Act as well as the Corporate and Performance Rights Acts, all the actions will lead to the greater protection of the young inventor and innovators and sports personalities to align them with the revised policy.”
Hon. Mawere also stressed that sports have, on a global front has seen the growth in revenue, which comprise of sponsorships, gate revenue, media rites fees and merchandizing, thus the need for the country to further growth of sports.
Meanwhile, PACRA Board Chairperson Mpazi Sinjela charged that business relationships built on intellectual right contribute immensely to securing the economic value of sports as they provide means to promote sports development at the grassroots.
“Some of the basic examples of business relationships premised on intellectual property rights include MTN and FAZ, Multi-Choice and ZNBC which have made it possible for all of us to watch local and foreign leagues in the comfort of our homes,” Prof. Sinjela said.
He also said broadcasting rights underpin the relationship between sports and television and other media simply because of invention, innovation and creativity that support sports.
This year’s World Intellectual Property Day was held under the theme “REACH FOR GOLD- IP AND SPORTS.”