Sports promotes peace, says  Brig Gen Sampa

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 07:35:07 +0000

By MICHAEL MIYOBA

THE impact sports has on the promotion of peace and unity in any nation must never be underestimated, Zambia National Service commandant’s representative, Brigadier  General Lawrence Sampa has said.

Speaking during the presentation of awards to various sports men and women at the 2016 ZNS annual sports awards, Brig General Sampa said sports helps in reducing any serious tensions between and among various political, ethnicity and religious divides.

“We believe that the impact sports has on the promotion of peace and unity in any nation must never be ignored or under-estimated. It is such a very powerful tool in reducing any serious tensions between and among various political, ethnicities and religious groups,” he said.

He stated that as a service, ZNS will remain committed to supporting sports activities as a way of contributing to the realisation of a united Zambia.

“As a service, we remain steadfast and passionately committed to sports talent identification and development in order to contribute to the development and growth of sports in Zambia and also to contribute to the realisation of the ‘One Zambia, One nation motto,’’ he said.

And ZNS director of sports, Colonel Mathias Banda, said the service will continue to sponsor all the sports despite some disciplines not performing to ZNS’ expectations.

“The year 2016 had mixed fortunes as we did not do well in a number of sports activities,” he said.

“However, allow me to commend the volleyball team for their impressive performance in the Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA) league. The netball team performed fairly well also and therefore we will continue to sponsor all our clubs in Zambia,” Col Banda added.

Green Eagles Volleyball team coach Sargent Henry Bwalya, winner of the coach of the year award, commended the service for appreciating his contribution to the development of sport.

Sargent Bwalya urged the organising committee of the awards not to stop appreciating the efforts of deferent sports men and women in the service.

He noted that the ZNS annual awards encouraged sports men in the service to work extra hard.

“I’m very happy to have won this award. It means a lot to me. This is my third award in six years. This shows that my works are being appreciated. I would therefore call on the organising committee to continue with the same spirit as awards help us to work harder,” Sargent Bwalya said.

Deferent sports men and women from different sports disciplines were appreciated with karateka Emily Lombe scooping the sports woman of the year award while volleyball’s most valuable player, Abraham Tembo won the sports man of the year award.

Green Eagles volleyball club scooped the team of the year award with coach Henry  Bwalya walking away with the coach of the year award.