PATRICK CHAMUNDA PUT TO REST

The Olympic movement in Zambia Monday 22 August 2022 joined hundreds of mourners to bid farewell to late International Olympic Committee (IOC) Honorary Member Patrick Chamunda who died on 13 August in South Africa.

National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) president Alfred Foloko led mourners from the sports fraternity in paying their last respects to the late Mr Chamunda who has been described as a true sports administrator who had a passion for the sport.

In his message, NOCZ president Foloko expressed sadness that Mr Chamunda died at a time when he should have been celebrating with athletes who represented Zambia at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games for coming back home with (1) Gold (1) Silver (1) Bronze medals.

Foloko added that the positions Mr Chamunda served both local and international shows how much he was a people person who welcomed and worked closely with those who wanted to see the sport being promoted in the country.

He said Mr Chamunda will be fondly missed by the sports fraternity adding that his legacy will live on for championing the setting up of the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre formerly known as the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.

Meanwhile, Tommy Sithole, Global E-Sports Federation Vice president who closely worked with Mr Chamunda for so many years could not hold back tears as he paid tribute to his friend who later became his elder brother from another mother.

Mr Sithole, who is also Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Honorary Life President said during requiem service that Mr Chamunda will never be forgotten and his legacy will continue to live on and should inspire many sports administrators to emulate his past services.

Some of those who attended the burial ceremony from the sports fraternity include; Zambia Tennis Association president Gibson Phiri, Zambia Boxing Federation president Dan Chiteule, NOCZ vice president Hazel Kennedy, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGA) Regional vice president for Africa Miriam Moyo, Handball Association of Zambia president Victor Banda, OYDC Zambia Board of Trustees Chairperson Simangolwa Shakalima, National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) acting general secretary Raphael Mulenga, Teqball Federation Zambia president Dickson Jere, first indigenous Zambia Tennis Association president Max Sichula, Badminton Zambia president Kingsley Mulenga, Special Olympics Zambia Board Chairperson Dr Clement Chileshe, NOCZ Athletes Commission Chairperson Richard Mulenga, veteran sports icon Samuel Matete, NOCZ Board Member Mutale Masala, Zambia Sports Fans Association –ZASPOFA Patron Pastor Peter Makembo, among others.

The late Mr Chamunda is survived by four children and wife.

Before his death he served several positions which include; Treasurer (1977-1981), Vice-President (1981-1992) then President (1992-2005) of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ); Chef de Mission for the Games of the XXIII Olympiad Los Angeles 1984 and the XXIV Olympiad Seoul 1988; Vice-President of the Zambia Golf Union (1985-1990); Chairperson of the National Sports Council of Zambia (1994-1998); President of the Confederation of NOCs of Southern Africa – Zone 6 (1997-2005); Member of the Executive Committee of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) (1997-2009); Member of the Executive Committee of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) (2002-2011); Treasurer General of ANOCA (2005-2009); ANOC Representative on the Foundation Board (2005-2013) and Member of the Finance and Administration Committee (2007-2015) of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

He was a member of the International Olympic Committee from 2002 to 2015; Member of the following IOC Commissions: Sport for All (2002-2015), Finance (2006-2014); Member of the Audit Committee (2013-2016), and Honorary Member since 2016 until the time of his death.

In 2012, he was honoured by the Zambian government with the Grand Order of Distinguished Service for his services to sport.