CELEBRATING AN INCLUSIVE SPORTS ENVIRONMENT FOR THE 6TH YEAR RUNNING

The 6th edition of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) partners Inclusive Sports Festival was successfully held earlier today at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka today.

The annual sports festival continues to attract an increased number of participants with every edition since 2017 with about 600 participants taking part in this year's edition which was being celebrated under the theme “creating safe, equitable, and inclusive space for all”.

Speaking whilst giving his welcoming remarks National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President Alfred Foloko said that since the First Inclusive Sports Festival was held in 2017, over 3000 children from all walks of life have been part of this annual festival which has made strides to give opportunities and making sports safe and inclusive for all.

“This is a great opportunity for you all to play sport full of fun, enjoy, interact, showcase your sporting talents and learn vital life skills,” he said.

Foloko further commended the new dawn government for devoting time and making inclusiveness part of their agenda amongst their development goals through line ministries such as the ministry of community development and social services in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Art.

He further thanked NIF for supporting this very important and memorable event and all the partners present in the remarks delivered on his behalf by NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi.

NOCZ SG BONIFACE KAMBIKAMBI (IN WHITE T-SHIRT) AND ZAPD DIRECTOR GENERAL AGATHA BANDA CONDUCTING A TOUR DURING THE FESTIVAL

Meanwhile, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) Director General Agatha Banda who was the Guest of Honour at the festival stated that ZAPD was proud to be associated with the noble event.

“I would like to encourage everyone to be part of this cause in giving hope to the children who are differently abled that they also can do it,” she said.

She further added saying that all the participants deserve respect regardless of who they are and urged them to continue participating in such events that are of great benefit to their lives.

The 2022 edition included participants from Lusaka, Livingstone, Nampundwe, Maheba Refugee Camp in Solwezi, and Mayukwayukwa Refugee Camp in Kaoma who participated in Kids Athletics, Netball, Judo, Football, Fun Games, and Positive Lifestyles Education Session Workshop.

The NIF-funded Inclusive Sports Festival is held by NOCZ in collaboration with National Sports Federations and Sports NGOs namely Zambia Athletics, Zambia Judo Association, Netball Zambia, Response Network, Sport In Action, Edusport Foundation and Response Network.