ZAAA scouts for funds to shape up  top athletes

Tue, 30 May 2017 10:44:27 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

THE Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) is working hard to raise funds to prepare athletes that have qualified for major international competitions, says ZAAA president Elias Mpondela.

Mpondela in an interview said ZAAA had a total of nine athletes on its bill to compete in the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, the London World Championship and the Under-18 World Junior Championship in Kenya.

He said the athletes needed to be well groomed to win medals at the three international events.

“We need to camp these athletes to get the desired results from them, but that calls for funds. ZAAA is working tirelessly to put resources together. The Intercompany Relay is one avenue we use to raise funds. Even then, these resources are not enough. So I appeal to individuals and organisations to support the athletes in any way,” he said.

He said Zambia had talented athletes and all they required was exposure which was usually difficult because such competition was only available outside the country.

Mpondela noted that the fact that 400m African female champion Kabange Mupopo was able to win medals in three years when it takes five years to produce a medal winning athlete, was testament of the talent Zambia has.

He advised the athletes not to lose focus but train harder because they will face highly rated athletes in the world.

Athletes that have qualified for the London Championships include Mupopo, Hazemba Chidamba, Sydney Siame and Jordan Chipangama.