By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GOVERNMENT has encouraged the champions who won medals for Zambia during the first half of the year to neither relax nor look back as it is time to continue fighting for more and higher achievements.
Over 15 sports federations yesterday presented medals scooped in the first half of the year to the Ministry of Sports Youth and Arts.
Speaking during a medal presentation, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga encouraged athletes from various sports federations to avoid any temptation that may lead to doping or any other vice that may disturb their sporting career.
Mulenga, who was the guest of honour representing Minister of Sports Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu during the medal presentation said Government will always recognise and reward athletes’ efforts accordingly.
He congratulated the athletes who stood up to strive for the entire population in their respective competitions.
“You are high achievers and therefore, you are highly implored to stay focused to achieve more in the coming competitions. It is within the national sport policy under the ministry to always recognise sport achievements, and to this end, we will continue hosting national sport awards to ceremoniously award achievers,” Mulenga said.
Mulenga said winning a medal for the country is a great honour and such achievements will always be celebrated as a tribute to the nation by its citizenry.
Meanwhile, Government says the sports expo and forum that will be held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre from August 25-26 will bring together sport and business to showcase potential opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.
The expo will be held under the theme “Showcasing sport’s contribution to national development will be organised by the Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Zambia Diaspora Organisation, the Zambia Tourism Agency and the National Sports Council of Zambia.
Mulenga said the sports expo which will be launched by President Hakainde Hichilema will include exhibitions of various goods and services offered by sport and non-sport organisations.
