MUNALI Suns basketball star Elijah ‘EJ’ Mukelabai has been crowned Zambia’s Sportsman of the Year at the Zambia Man of the Year Awards, beating a highly competitive field that featured Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga. Although the sprinter was widely considered the favourite for the prestigious honour, Mukelabai’s exceptional performances on the hardwood ultimately won him the accolade, signalling a major moment for Zambian basketball. The Munali Suns number 11 has risen rapidly to become one of the nation’s most thrilling sporting prospects. His influential displays were central to the Suns’ unbeaten five-game run in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Road to BAL qualifiers, which booked the team’s ticket to the Elite 16 in Nairobi, Kenya. Mukelabai’s ascent has been...