FOLOKO HAILS FRENCH EMBASSY FOR PROMOTING GRASSROOTS SPORT
National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) president Alfred Foloko has applauded the French Embassy in Zambia for their exceptional desire to promote grassroots sport in the country.
Foloko says it is gratifying to see the Embassy rewarding young pupils from five schools who had recently participated in the Olympiads organised by the French Embassy in Zambia and hosted at the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre which he says strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation that sports foster between nations.
He added that as Zambia prepares to send athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be held in France the NOCZ is happy to see the Embassy organising events which will inspire young talented athletes to take up sport as a career in future.
Foloko announced that Zambia has so far proudly qualified three sports disciplines for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; Patrick Chinyemba (boxing), Muzala Samukonga (athletics), and the Copper Queens (football) saying more are to be qualified.
And Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu MP who was the guest of honour at the awards ceremony disclosed that the Ministry is impressed to note that the sporting activities the French Embassy hosted at the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre brought joy and fun amongst children from five schools.
He added that the activities were part of the celebrations lined up for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games which Zambia is scheduled to participate in.
The minister later presented medals to all the young athletes who had emerged victorious during the games.
Meanwhile, French Ambassador to Zambia HE Thomas Rossignol disclosed that the young athletes if well nurtured are the future stars of tomorrow.
He said the Embassy was amused to see how talented the pupils showcased their skills in the 400m race, relays, handball, fun & movement games and quiz which resulted in them getting rewarded on Friday 31 May 2024.
National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Athletes Commission Chairperson Richard Mulenga urged those who didn’t receive rewards not to give up but to continue with the sporting spirit from their respective schools and further appealed to them to identify any sports that they can join at the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre.
The awards ceremony held at the French Embassy in Lusaka was witnessed by several sports associations among them; Football Association of Zambia president Andrew Kamanga, Zambia Athletics president Elias Mpondela, Zambia Rugby Union president Chileshe Bweupe, Zambia Basketball Association General Secretary Roderick Ndhlovu who is also Team Zambia Chef De Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts officials.
