NOCZ president urges Tokyo 2020 booted out athletes to remain focused

By Noah Silomba

As team Zambia gets to be reduced to five athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) president Alfred Foloko, has appealed to the nation to welcome the booted out athletes with love and honour.

Foloko says the athletes exhibited a great performance at the prestigious games despite coming back home without any medals adding that they have shown resilience as true patriots.

“I am urging the Olympic family and the people of our great country to welcome our athletes. They are our future. Under the pandemic still, they have shown the resilience as true Patriots. I further thank the government and our key stakeholders that supported our preparations and participation at the games” he said.

Foloko adds that athletes who were booted out will arrive back home on Thursday 29 July aboard Ethiopian Airlines at 14:30 CAT.

“On behalf of the Olympic movement I wish them safe passage home and urge them to remain focused for the games lined up soon,” he said.

The athletes who are expected in Zambia tomorrow are; Copper Queens (Shepolopolo), Stephen Mung’andu (judo), and Stephen Zimba (Boxing).

Team Zambia’s hope of minting a medal remains on five athletes Patrick Chinyemba (boxing), Sydney Siame (athletics), Rhoda Njobvu (athletics), Tilka Paljk (swimming) and Shaquille Moosa (swimming).
Tilka and Moosa are scheduled to make their Tokyo 2020 debut on 30 July 2021 in the 50m freestyle heat 4 and 5 respectively.

Zambian sprinters Sydney Siame and Rhoda Njobvu will be invigorating themselves for their events as athletics kick starts on 30 July.