Sport will once again be a major part of the Eswatini International Trade Fair experience, with Mulasport returning as a key partner for the 58th edition of the annual event.
This year marks Mulasport’s fourth consecutive year supporting the Eswatini International Trade Fair, with the sports brand sponsoring basketball, volleyball, netball and culture during the nine-day event running from August 28 to September 6, at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini.
The partnership adds a strong sporting element to a fair that traditionally brings together business, entertainment, exhibitions and cultural experiences.
For visitors, the sports programme provides another reason to spend time at the fairgrounds, with competitions creating opportunities for athletes, teams and spectators to be part of the wider EITF experience.
Mulasport’s involvement covers three sporting codes basketball, volleyball and netball while also extending to culture, reflecting the company’s continued interest in supporting activities that bring communities and young people together.
Basketball remains one of the highlights of the sporting programme, with the Mulasport Basketball competition expected to attract both local and international talent. The tournament has increasingly become a meeting point for Eswatini players based abroad and international players who join local teams, adding another dimension to the competition.
The participation of players from outside the country has helped raise the level of competition while giving local basketball players an opportunity to share the court with athletes with different experiences.
Volleyball and netball will also form part of the Mulasport-sponsored programme, bringing their own teams and supporters into the Trade Fair environment.
The inclusion of multiple sporting codes allows the programme to appeal to different audiences, from dedicated sports followers to families and visitors looking for something to do between exploring exhibition stands and attending entertainment events.
Going Beyond Sport
Mulasport’s support also extends beyond sport through its sponsorship of culture at this year’s EITF. Traditional dance competitions will feature Sibhaca, Ingadla and Lutsango, with groups from different parts of Eswatini expected to participate.
The competitions are being spearheaded by Imigidvo Yesintfu Eswatini and will include teams ranging from grassroots imiphakatsi to groups representing armed forces, corporates and other institutions.
For EITF, the cultural programme provides an opportunity for visitors to experience traditional performance alongside the contemporary entertainment and business activities taking place throughout the fair.
Sports & Culture Ranks High On EITF Scoreboard
The combination of sport and culture also fits into the wider direction of this year’s Trade Fair, which is being held under the theme ‘Unlocking Green Economy Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Promotion’
While the theme places sustainability, innovation and new economic opportunities at the centre of the 2026 edition, the organisers have continued to build a programme that includes entertainment, sport, culture and activities for families.
Mulasport has described its continued partnership with the Trade Fair as an investment in talent, communities and the future of sport and culture.
The company has also highlighted the role of sport and culture in creating opportunities, developing skills and helping young people pursue sustainable livelihoods.
The sporting programme comes as EITF continues to strengthen its sports tourism offering. Alongside Mulasport’s competitions, the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup will return, bringing football into the event’s entertainment and sporting calendar.
The inclusion of sport has become an increasingly visible part of the Trade Fair experience, attracting competitors and spectators who may also spend time exploring the exhibition, entertainment and cultural offerings.
Last year, visitor numbers surpassed 70 000, with sports tourism and cultural activities contributing to the overall appeal of the event.
This year, Mulasport’s fourth consecutive year as a Trade Fair sponsor continues that connection between sport, community and the wider EITF programme.
For athletes, the competitions offer a platform to compete. For supporters, they provide live sporting action. For the wider public, they add another layer to an event that has increasingly become more than an exhibition.
With basketball, volleyball, netball and traditional dance all forming part of its contribution, Mulasport is bringing a sporting and cultural dimension to EITF 2026 giving visitors another reason to make the fair part of their plans from 28 August to 6 September.
