By Oliver Chisenga
SPORT has since time immemorial served as a global unifier in its ability to bring together people from all walks of life transcending boundaries of culture, religion and race, says sports minister Hon. Elvis Nkandu, MP.
Announcing Zambia’s hosting of the 6th edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Regional Annual Sport Awards (RASA) on Tuesday, Nkandu noted that sport is historically known across the globe for producing remarkable athletes, influential leaders and memorable heroes.
The awards will take place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre on May 25 under the theme ‘Celebrating sports excellence and innovation.’
Nkandu said sport’s recreation attribute and significant role in promoting the health of mankind could not go unmentioned.
“In an effort to promote sports development in the country, government has devised numerous strategies that include the development of the National Sports Policy that will be launched this year, supporting over 40 sports codes financially to participate in local and international sports competitions, equalizing allowances for senior women and men’s football players among others,” Nkandu said.
He said over the last two years, Zambia has gained global recognition with unprecedented strides in the field of sports, noting that through Rachael Kundananji and Barbra Banda, the country has produced two most expensive female footballers in the world.
Nkandu added that Zambia’s winning the Sports Country of The Year in the 2023 Region 5 awards held in South Africa was another notable achievement.
“I am more than happy to note that the Zambia senior women’s football team qualified to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and that in 2023, the country hosted the Confederation of African Athletics in Ndola where forty-five countries participated. The Zambia senior netball team winning the African championship in 2023, the Under Twenty-One netball team qualifying to the World Cup to be held in Gibraltar, and Zambia minting fifteen medals at the recently held 13th edition African Games which is the first time the country is recording the highest number of medals at a tournament are other success stories worthy celebrating,” he said.
Nkandu said hosting the RASA was a great milestone in the sports development of Zambia, especially that it would be the first time the country would host the event.
He said RASA was part of the regional rewards programme aimed at providing an opportunity for the region to motivate member states, sports confederations, sports teams and individual athletes by recognising and celebrating meritorious service and outstanding achievements in sports.
“Ten member countries namely, Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia, Lesotho, south Africa, Botswana, Angola and Mozambique are expected to participate in this year’s awards,” he said.
Nkandu said the recognition and rewarding of outstanding sportsmen and women in the 10 countries of the Region 5 is done annually through the RASA dinner gala night.
He added that the awards are held in member countries on rotational basis to ceremoniously and prestigiously present 12 awards to deserving nominees drawn from the ten African countries.
The 12 awards categories include: Sportsman of the year; Sportsman of the year with a disability; Junior female sportsperson of the year; Coach of the year; Journalist of the year; Junior male sportsperson of the year; Sports team of the year; Sportsperson of the year; Sportswoman of the year; Sportswoman of the year with a disability; Confederation of the year, and Country of the year.
Nkandu said this year’s RASA would be a special edition as it would coincide with the celebration of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 silver jubilee.
“To this end, the region will also recognize and award 25 individuals from the 10 countries of the region 5 who have significantly contributed to the development of sport in the region. The organization of the Regional Annual Sports Awards will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts through the National Sports Council of Zambia with support from line ministries, institutions and business houses under the supervision of the African Union Sport Council Region 5 secretariat,” Nkandu said.
“Other activities taking place between 24th and 25th May, 2024 will include: community outreach by the nominees, 9-hole golf play-off by delegates and a forum for the nominees.”
The minister urged business houses to align themselves with the awards event and supplement government efforts by sponsoring its successful hosting.
“As we continue to work together, we can develop the sports sector in Zambia and across the region,” said Nkandu.
The Mole
