By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Zambia Athletics (ZA) has congratulated athletes for winning one gold and two silver medals at the Olympic Trials and Invitation Relay championship in Lagos, Nigeria.
ZA president Elias Mpondela said the Zambia relay national teams which were invited by the Nigerian Athletics Federation to go and compete at the Nigerian Olympic Trails in Lagos never disappoint.
Mpondela said the teams are coming up very well under the mentorship of coach Douglas Kalembo.
He said, soon Zambia will be a team to watch at major athletics events.
“Our teams ran, from the 4×100, Nigerian women ran a good time that placed them 15th on the world ranking, while we came out second due to bad weather conditions. It rained for 12 hours, during warm up it was still raining that really affected their performance, but despite all that the athletes managed to run fast and gave Nigeria a good run and came out second securing a silver medal.
“In the 4x400m race, the men came out second securing a Silver medal and in 4x400m mixed relay they performed extremely well securing a gold medal,” he said.
“Congratulations to the men and women who competed in Nigeria today,” Mpondela said.
ZA has sent a 12-member team to Nigeria which includes Suwilanji Mpondela, starter in the 4x100m women category, Lumeka Katundu, second leg runner, Hellen Makumba, 3rd leg runner and Rhoda Njobvu, who is a finisher.
In the 4x400m men’s race Zambia was represented by Muzala Samakonga, starter, Daniel Mbewe, second leg runner, David Mulenga, 3rd leg runner and finisher, Kennedy Luchembe.
The 4x400m mixed relay had Niddy Mingilishi as stater, Sydney Siame as second runner, David Mulenga as 3rd runner and Rhoda Njovu as a finisher.
Meanwhile, the team has been requested to stay back in Lagos State, by the Nigeria Athletics Federation and the Lagos State Governor so that they participate in the “Lagos Open Athletics Meet” on June 24 in Lagos.
The Zambia relay team will also compete in The Lagos Athletics Meet scheduled for June 26 and 27.
The athletes will only be expected back on June 28 after concluding their Nigerian tour.
