…Boxer Patrick Chinyemba gifted K100, 000 for making Paris Olympics
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GOVERNMENT has rewarded 2024 Olympic Games-bound boxer Patrick Chinyemba for being the only boxer from Southern Africa to qualify for the games slated for next year in Paris France.
Minister of Sports, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu said Government will reward Chinyemba US$5, 000 which is equivalent to K104,829.45 local currency for conquering Africa and reaffirming that Zambia is a great sporting nation and a force to reckon with.
Speaking during the medal presentation ceremony yesterday, Nkandu said Chinyemba’s achievement is similar to the celebration the country enjoyed when the Copper Queens qualified to the first ever World Cup, and when sprinter Muzala Samukonga won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
“The young man under the stewardship of the Zambia Boxing Federation with support from the government through the National Sports Council of Zambia and the National Olympic Committee of Zambia has not only made Zambia proud, but the entire sub-Sahara Africa,” Nkandu said.
“Such kind of outstanding performances are definitely special and deserve unique recognition,” he said.
Nkandu encouraged other athletes to emulate Chinyemba and work hard to qualify for the Olympic Games.
He said Government through the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Arts will continue to strive to ensure all sports codes are supported.
“There is need to do more especially in sourcing for funds to support the national federations in fulfilling local and international engagements. I, therefore, want to take this opportunity to call upon the business houses to consider using our excelling athletes such as Patrick Chinyemba as good-will ambassadors in promoting their various goods and services,” he said.
Nkandu added that in a quest to supplement the ZBF’s commitment to develop the sport, Government had given it office space at Heroes Stadium.
The news cheered ZBF vice president Masheko Nalumango who however urged the government to assist the boxers with international exposure needed for them to do well at international competitions.
Meanwhile, boxer Hilder Ngandwe has appealed to the Ministry of Sports to assist boxers with more resources for them to prepare adequately for international competitions such as the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
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