NOCZ Athletes Forum Ends, as President Foloko calls for more participation

The National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Athletes Commission's two-day Forum came  to a close on 13 September 2025, with NOCZ President Alfred Foloko calling on national sports associations to encourage their athletes to actively take part in such platforms.

Foloko noted that athletes are central to the growth of sport and that missing opportunities like the Athletes Commission Forum risks denying them important knowledge on topics that advance Olympic values.

Foloko further assured athletes of NOCZ’s commitment to ensuring fair representation at major competitions, including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, African Games, and ANOCA School Games, among others.

During the forum, both Foloko and NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi engaged directly with athletes in an interesting interactive session where athletes raised concerns affecting their sporting careers.

Kambikambi underscored the importance of the forum, noting that forums of this kind give athletes a unique voice, and hoped more associations would ensure their members take part in the future.

Earlier in the day, athletes took part in sessions covering anti-doping, competition manipulation prevention, and the intersection of sport and religion.

A special highlight was a panel discussion featuring Olympians Samuel Matete, virtually, Sydney Siame, Margaret Tembo, Esther Siamfuko, and Jonathan Chipalo, who shared their journeys and inspired aspiring Olympians.

The two-day forum was widely praised by those who attended as insightful and empowering, with many commending NOCZ for creating a platform that continues to strengthen athlete engagement and sport development in Zambia.

The National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Athletes Commission's two-day Forum has come to a close, with NOCZ President Alfred Foloko calling on national sports associations to encourage their athletes to actively take part in such platforms.

Foloko noted that athletes are central to the growth of sport and that missing opportunities like the Athletes Commission Forum risks denying them important knowledge on topics that advance Olympic values.

Foloko further assured athletes of NOCZ’s commitment to ensuring fair representation at major competitions, including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, African Games, and ANOCA School Games, among others.

During the forum, both Foloko and NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi engaged directly with athletes in an interesting interactive session where athletes raised concerns affecting their sporting careers.

Kambikambi underscored the importance of the forum, noting that forums of this kind give athletes a unique voice, and hoped more associations would ensure their members take part in the future.

Earlier in the day, athletes took part in sessions covering anti-doping, competition manipulation prevention, and the intersection of sport and religion.

A special highlight was a panel discussion featuring Olympians Samuel Matete, virtually, Sydney Siame, Margaret Tembo, Esther Siamfuko, and Jonathan Chipalo, who shared their journeys and inspired aspiring Olympians.

The two-day forum was widely praised by those who attended as insightful and empowering, with many commending NOCZ for creating a platform that continues to strengthen athlete engagement and sport development in Zambia.