CHAMUNDA PUT TO REST

Former National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President Patrick Simuntala Chamunda has been put to rest at Nkana East Memorial Park in Kitwe.

Mr. Chamunda who served in various sports portfolios between 1977 and the time of his death passed away during the late hours of Saturday 13th August 2022 while receiving medical attention at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Speaking during the burial programme, NOCZ President Alfred Foloko described Mr. Chamunda as a man in his own league. A focused and inclusive man who was an exemplary promoter of the values and social responsibility of sport and whose voice carried weight on the African continent and beyond.

“I remember vividly in 2012, when late president Michael Sata honoured Mr Chamunda with the grand order of distinguished service for his devotion to sports. Befitting of such a man. Barely Three years after this, the IOC bestowed him with the Olympic Order for his contributions to sport and the Olympic movement, especially in recognition of his efforts in establishing the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.'' he added.

Mr. Chamunda, served the sports fraternity in different capacities on the national, regional, and international stage from 1977 to 2016 as follows:

Over a period of 28 years, He held various positions on the board of NOC.

He was treasurer (1977-1981), Vice-president (1981-1992) then President (1992-2005).

He was also appointed as Chef de Mission for the Zambian delegation at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.

From 1985-1990 he served as Vice-President of the Zambia Golf Union before and later as Chairperson of the National Sports Council of Zambia (1994-1998).

His leadership was not only confined to the nation, but it extended across the continent. He was elected President of the Confederation of Olympic Committees of Southern Africa – Zone 6 (1997-2005); for 12 years he served as an Executive Committee Member of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) from 1997-2009. Member of the Executive Committee of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) (2002-2011); Treasurer General of ANOCA (2005-2009); ANOC representative on the foundation board (2005-2013) and member of the finance and administration committee (2007-2015) of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

He served the Olympic movement as an IOC member between 2002 and 2015 before subsequently being elected as an OPC honorary member in 2016. During his IOC membership he served on the following commissions: Sport for all (2002-2015), finance (2006-2014); member of the audit committee (2013-2016), and honorary member since 2016 until the time of his death.

Mr. Chamunda will be remembered for his exemplary leadership style throughout the years in and out of the sports fraternity.

His devotion to sports is evident from the wide range of initiatives which he developed, and we will never forget how instrumental he was in the setting up and implementation of the Sport for All project at OYDC Zambia as an Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) after the centre was officially opened in 2010, which has seen star athletes emerge from the foundation he laid.

He has over the years played a key role in supporting the development of sports in Zambia and his expertise and knowledge in sports administration has seen him offer guidance to younger sports administrators on numerous occasions.

We have lost a very humorous, humble, charismatic, and intelligent man. Mr chamunda lived a life worth emulating and his numerous contributions to sports in this country will never be forgotten.

The nation has therefore lost a legend, mentor, and father who always provided guidance and advice whenever called upon to do so on the national, regional, continental, and global stage.

On behalf of the Olympic and Commonwealth Sports movement in Zambia and on my own personal behalf, I again extend my profound condolences to the Chamunda famViceily, and to the global sports fraternity at large, at this difficult time.

As a mark of respect and honour to Mr Chamunda, the IOC decided to fly the Olympic flag at half-mast at Olympic House in Lausanne for three days. This tells you how valuable a man we have lost.

Foloko further urged everyone to celebrate his life and remain grateful to him for his contribution to Olympism and to the development of sport in Zambia.

Various sports leaders from across the nation and region were present to pay their last respects. Those present included; Global E-Sports Federation Vice President Tommy Sithole, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGA) Regional vice President for Africa Miriam Moyo, NOCZ Vice President Hazel Kennedy, NOCZ Treasurer Victor Banda, NOCZ Board Member Dickson Jere, NOCZ Board Member Mutale Masala, National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) Acting General Secretary Raphael Mulenga, OYDC Zambia Board of Trustees Chairperson Simangolwa Shakalima, Former Zambia Tennis Association President Max Sichula, Zambia Tennis Association President Gibson Phiri, Zambia Boxing Federation President Dan Chiteule, Special Olympics Zambia Board Chairperson Dr Clement Chileshe, NOCZ Athletes Commission Chairperson Richard Mulenga, Veteran sports icon Samuel Matete, Zambia Sports Fans Association – ZASPOFA Patron Pastor Peter Makembo, among others.