The National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) has resolved to confer Honorary Life Membership on its past Presidents - Patrick Chamunda (posthumously) and Mirriam Moyo - for their contributions to the Zambian sports landscape, particularly the Olympic and Commonwealth Sports Movements.
This was announced during the 2023 Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, 20th April 2024, at OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre in Lusaka.
Making the announcement, the current NOCZ President, Alfred Foloko, stated that according to Article 10, Composition of NOCZ, of the NOCZ Constitution, 10.2.3 Honorary members: Honorary (non-voting) membership may be conferred on individuals by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Executive Board, provided that:
10.2.3.1 Not more than two honorary members shall be conferred in one year.
"With the given notice to the General Assembly Meeting, in 14 days' time, we will proceed with conferring life membership to Mr. Patrick Chamunda (posthumously) and Mrs. Mirriam Moyo," he added.
Reacting to this recommendation, Zambia Taekwondo Federation President Likando Nangonde said that the move is welcome and should be supported by the entire membership of the National Olympic Committee, citing the influence people like the late Chamunda had on the introduction of the sport of Taekwondo to Zambia.
Agreeing with this, Zambia Athletics President Elias Mpondela added that the contributions made by the late Chamunda and past NOCZ President Moyo to the Zambian sports landscape and its development have to be applauded, and the recommendation to have them conferred with life membership of the NOCZ is welcome.
The late Patrick Chamunda served NOCZ over a period of 28 years, holding various positions on the Board initially as Treasurer (1977-1981), then as Vice-President (1981-1992), and President (1992-2005).
In 2012, he was honored by the Zambian government with the Grand Order of Distinguished Service for his services to sport. In 2015, the IOC awarded him the Olympic Order for his contribution to sport and the Olympic Movement, especially in recognition of his efforts in establishing the Olympic Youth Development Centre, now OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.
Chamunda served the Olympic Movement as an IOC member between 2002 and 2015. He was subsequently elected as an IOC Honorary Member from 2016 until the time of his death in 2022.
On the other hand, Miriam Moyo, who was recently bestowed with Honorary Life Membership by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at the 2023 CGF General Assembly in Singapore, served the NOC in various capacities as a member, Treasurer, Secretary General, and Vice President before she was elected as President in 2005 and served until 2017.
From 2014 to 2023, Moyo served as CGF Regional Vice President for Africa until her retirement, before which her involvement with the CGF dates back to 2008 when she was co-opted onto the Sports Committee.
Comments