SPORTS MINISTER NKANDU ASSURES COMMONWEALTH GAMES-BOUND ATHLETES

SPORTS MINISTER NKANDU ASSURES COMMONWEALTH GAMES-BOUND ATHLETES

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu has reiterated that the new dawn government will continue to motivate talented athletes who make the nation proud at various competitions.

Addressing Zambian athletes heading to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games last evening at the OYDC Zambia the minister challenged athletes to mint medals stating the nation will be watching.

In his message, the minister promised athletes that government will relook at the allowances they will get and consider improving them based on their performances saying every athlete from all sports disciplines should be motivated.

The minister later handed over the Zambian flag to the team as a symbolic sendoff to the prestigious games.

Meanwhile, National Olympic Committee & Commonwealth Games Association Zambia president Alfred Foloko urged athletes to let their hard work invested in training translate into medals. 

Foloko reminded the athletes that the nation will be watching and should be inspired by national icons such as Samuel Matete, Kalusha Bwalya, Patson Daka, Catherine Phiri, Barbara Banda, Esther Phiri, and Kennedy Kanyanta among others to record good results. 

Zambia is for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games sending a big number of athletes to represent the nation. The athletes last night left for Durham and will camp at the University of Durham for the pre-international camp before proceeding to the Birmingham games.

The sports codes making up team Zambia are; Athletics, Boxing, Rugby 7s, Judo, Squash, Badminton, Swimming, Para-powerlifting, and cycling.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that is scheduled to be held in Birmingham, England from 28 July to 8 August 2022.