COMMONWEALTH and African 400m champion Muzala Samukonga says winning the 2022 Sportsman of the year award is a big motivation as he prepares for the World Championship slated for August.
And Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu says government will continue to invest in the development of sports in the country.
The 20–year–old Samukonga won big during the 2022 Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) awards gala held at Mulungushi Conference where women’s national team striker Grace Chanda scooped the sportswoman of the year award.
Former Chipolopolo captain Enock Mwepu received the President’s award for his contribution to the Nation while the Late Dr Joseph Kabungo received the Minister award posthumously.
Mwepu’s career was cut short last year after he was diagnosed with a heart condition while Kabungo died on duty in Nigeria where he was a doping officer during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and Ghana.
Upon receiving his award, Samukonga said he remained grateful to Zambians for the support that he has continued to receive after conquering at the Birmingham Games last year.
“I am humbled to receive this award in a year that many sportsmen and women brought honour to this country. It will motivate me to even work hard as I prepare for the World Championship,” said Samukonga.
The sprinter was nominated alongside Zambia Rally ace Leroy Gomes who won the African Rally Championship (ARC) and Body Builder Peter Chanda who won silver at the World Fitness Federation World Championship in Indonesia.
Grace Chanda captained the Copper Queens at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) where the team finished third and made history by qualifying for the Australia/New Zealand World Cup slated for July.
She dedicated her award to young girls that are working hard to achieve greatness in their careers.
“Laka ba people, football is my life and this award strengthens me more and gives me the challenge to work harder for myself, my club, and my country. I wish to dedicate this award to the young girls who are pushing to make it happen in their careers, to the Copper Queens for helping me and everyone achieve a lot at the team, and for pushing me to work hard. The coaches, the administrators and my supportive family for their words of encouragement, prayers, and physical presence in everything I do. I promise to only get better in my career so that we continue to do what makes you happy,” Chanda said.
The coach of the year in the Women’s category went to Copper Queens assistant coach Florence Mwila who is also Zanaco ladies’ coach.
Mwila was part of the technical bench that guided the Copper Queens to their first bronze medal at WAFCON and also qualified Zanaco for the National Women’s League.
Athletics coach Douglas Kalembo won the coach of the year in the male category for his achievements with various athletes.
The team of the year was awarded to the Copper Queens that not only qualified for the World Cup but also made history by winning their first COSAFA Women’s trophy while in the Men’s category, the award went to the Motor Cross team which won Silver in Uganda at the FIM Motocross of African Nations continental Championship.
Zambia Pool Union (ZPU) scooped Federation of the year with their president Tesfa Shinkombwe winning the administrator of the year award.
Sportswoman of the year differently abled was awarded to Ivy Chanda from Paralympics while in the male category, the award was scooped by Kaumba Kakoma from Deaf Sports.
The Young sportsman of the year was scooped by Draughts William Chinzwe who is the World Champion in the Under 17 category with swimmer Jade Phiri winning the award in the Women’s category.
In the media category electronic, ZNBC’s Memory Malisawa won the award while Godfrey Dube of News Diggers scooped the Sports Journalist of the year Print media.
Telecommunication Company MTN Zambia scooped the medal of honour for their continued support of the development of sports.
MTN has sponsored the MTN/FAZ Super since 2010.
Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu reaffirmed government’s support for sports development.
“I want to reaffirm that the new dawn government will continue to support sports development in the country through the legal framework and policy direction, financial support to all sporting disciplines, and providing of equipment for the growth of the sector. The government has placed sport as an area of critical focus towards empowering the youth of this great country economically,” said Nkandu.
“In this vain, I want to invite all stakeholders in sports especially the business houses to partner with the government in supplementing the government’s efforts by providing quality sports infrastructures in schools and communities. To this end, I want to recognise and appreciate every company and institution which has continued supporting sports development in the country. Please keep it up and plan to invest more in this sector. To all nominees and winners, may this recognition and awards inspire and motivate you. Undoubtedly, the whole nation is proud of you and holds you in high esteem. Please continue putting in your best and making the country proud and to the organisers of these sports awards, thank you for putting up a memorable event”.
