ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT: ZAMBIAN SPRINTER NIDDY MINGILISHI

From the dusty streets of Chingola to the big tracks of international competitions, Niddy Mingilishi has made a name for herself in Zambian athletics. She carries not just the hope of winning, but also the dreams of a new generation of young athletes.

Her journey started at Nchanga Primary School, where her sports teacher, Mr. Mukonda, first saw her talent as a long-distance runner. Later, at Sekela Secondary School, Coach Felix Mbuye encouraged her to switch to sprinting. That change from running long distances to running fast would shape her future.

By 2017, Mingilishi had already reached the finals of the World Under-20 Championships in Kenya. The following year, she proved herself at the African Youth Championships in Algeria, the Youth Olympics in Argentina, the COSASA Games in Botswana, and the Region 5 Games, winning medals and showing she could compete with the best.

Sprinter Niddy Mingilishi at OYDC Zambia-Sports Development Centre

Her career continued to grow. In 2021, she helped Zambia win gold in the 4x400m mixed relay at the African Senior Championships in Nigeria. In 2022, she won silver in the 400m at the African Senior Championships in Mauritius and gold at the Botswana Grand Prix. In 2024, she won silver in the 4x400m relay at the African Games in Ghana and again at the African Senior Championships in Cameroon, where she also came eighth in the 400m.

But not every race went well. At the Commonwealth Games 2022 Birmingham, Mingilishi faced a big challenge. She had COVID-19, which kept her in isolation and stopped her from training properly.

“Mentally, I was not stable because I had COVID,” said Mingilishi. “It ruined everything. I only trained for one day before the competition. I did not expect much, I just hoped for the best.”

 Even so, she competed and finished seventh in the first round.

“It was hard, but it taught me a lesson,” said. “Nothing comes easy. In any situation, just show up and do your best.”

Mingilishi is already looking forward to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth games, ready to improve her performance and achieve more for Zambia.

“I am pushing myself to the limit so I can make the team and do better than before,” said Mingilishi.

Mingilishi encouraged young girls to remain focused and determined despite the challenges they face.

“Being a girl child is not easy,” she said. “But with self-discipline and hard work, you can achieve anything. Believe in yourself, because life will not always be easy and people will not always encourage you. So, be self-motivated.”

Niddy Mingilishi shows that hard work, belief, and determination can take you far. Her story proves that talent is just the start, and nothing comes easy, but nothing is impossible.