Cookie Policy

How we use cookies to enhance your experience

Effective Date: January 1, 2025 | Last Updated: September 23, 2025

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and provide information to the owners of the site. The African Union Sports Council Region 5 (AUSC R5) uses cookies to enhance your experience on our website and improve our services.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

  • Essential Operations: Enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility
  • Performance & Analytics: Understand how visitors use our website to improve functionality
  • Functionality: Remember your preferences and settings for a personalized experience
  • Authentication: Keep you logged in during your session

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They include:

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
session_idMaintains user sessionSession
csrf_tokenSecurity - prevents cross-site request forgerySession
cookie_consentStores cookie consent preferences1 year

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable personalized features and remember your preferences:

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
languageRemembers language preference1 year
themeStores light/dark mode preference1 year
timezoneStores user timezone for event times30 days

3.3 Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website:

Cookie NamePurposeDuration
_gaGoogle Analytics - distinguishes users2 years
_gidGoogle Analytics - distinguishes users24 hours
_gatGoogle Analytics - throttle request rate1 minute

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some of our pages may contain content from third-party services (such as YouTube videos, social media widgets, or embedded maps). These third parties may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies and recommend reviewing the cookie policies of these third parties.

5. Your Cookie Choices

5.1 Managing Cookies

You have several options for managing cookies:

  • Browser Settings: Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete cookies that have been set
  • Cookie Consent Banner: Use our cookie consent tool when you first visit our website
  • Opt-Out Links: Use specific opt-out links provided for analytics cookies

5.2 Browser-Specific Instructions

Here are links to cookie management instructions for popular browsers:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
  • Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. Without essential cookies, you may not be able to: - Log in to your account - Access secure areas of the website - Complete registration forms - Remember your preferences - Use certain interactive features

7. Local Storage

In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (HTML5) to store preferences and improve performance. Local storage is similar to cookies but can store larger amounts of data. You can clear local storage through your browser settings.

8. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Currently, our website does not respond differently to DNT signals, but we respect your cookie preferences as set through our cookie consent tool or your browser settings.

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date and, where appropriate, through prominent notice on our website.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

AUSC Region 5 Data Protection Officer

Plot 54372, CBD, Gaborone, Botswana

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +267 3188 350

Cookie Consent: By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. You can change your cookie preferences at any time through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool.