NOCZ President Foloko urges associations owing OYDC Zambia to clear debt

National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President Alfred Foloko, on Wednesday 22 January, 2020 implored sports associations in the country owing the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre to clear all the debt.

Speaking during the stakeholders meeting organized by the OYDC Zambia, Foloko said the sports facility needed money to continue running and offering services to all associations hence the need to clear debts owed. He disclosed that it would be unfair if associations failed to clear the debt stating that if the OYDC Zambia does not get cleared it will end up failing to sustain its operation.

He further appealed to OYDC Zambia management to prepare payment plans to all associations currently owing the multsports facility which aims at remaining a “Centre of Excellence” in nurturing and producing sports heroes who access facilities.

During the meeting OYDC Zambia, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Fredrick Chitangala, indicated that management has made great strides to source for more funding from both local and international entities  to run sports programmes at the centre. He cited the HIV Prevention through Sport supported by The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the OYDC Play 2 Conserve supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as some of the new projects the centre is currently running. Dr. Chitangala, assured stakeholders that in 2020 some of the programmes which were suspended due to lack of funding will be reintroduced.

Present during the meeting was NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi, OYDC Zambia Board of Trustees Chairperson Simangolwa Shakalima, presidents and general secretaries of local sports federations, OYDC Zambia staff and NOCZ Executive Director Brenda Chipande. Meanwhile, Zambia Weighlifting Federation (ZWF) President Mutale Masala, applauded OYDC Zambia for organizing the meeting which made most of the local associations understand a clear picture and status of the sports facilities.