By Francis Chipalo

A whooping USD 15,000 (approximately over K390,000) courtesy of the Zambia Chinese Association awaits Zambian athlete Muzala Samukonga for minting Bronze at the Olympic games in France.

Samukonga came out third at the Olympic Games, securing bronze in the men’s 400m final with a time of 43.74 seconds.

He finished behind Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith (43.44) and the United States’ Quincy Hall (43.40).

And in congratulating the athlete for his achievement, Zambia Chinese Association executive president Wu Ming says a USD 15,000 has been awarded to Samukonga as a way of motivating him.

The runner will receive his reward upon return from the games.

Ming says the association encourages hard work and is proud of Samukonga for representing Zambia well at the games.

“We congratulate Samukonga for his achievement at the Olympic games and as a way of showing gratitude and support to him, we are pleased to hand him a USD 15,000 (USD 10,000 from Happy Lands LTD and USD 5,000 from Kinglong Motors respectively),” Ming said.

Ming further pledged the association’s continued support to sports development in the country as seen in recent pasts where support has been given to other sporting disciplines as well as teams such as the Copper Queens for bringing glory to the country.

Other Zambian athletes who have won Olympic medals in the past include Samuel Matete, who won silver in the 400m hurdles in 1996, and Keith Mwila, who won bronze in light flyweight boxing in 1984.