TECNO donates smartphones to Olympics team

MOBILE Phones Company Tecno has donated 42 smartphones and other assorted products to Zambia’s Olympics team and officials ahead of their departure for the Games.

The phones have been facilitated in line with the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee’s requirement that every athlete going for the Games should have a smartphone with installed tracking applications to help in monitoring their movements, in a bid to curb cases of COVID-19, should their be any.

Speaking during the handover, National Olympics Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President Alfred Foloko commended the tech firm, adding that their gesture was the kind of support the sports industry in the country had been yearning for.

“The gesture by Tecno is a show of support that we as a sports movement lookout for in supporting our elite athletes in their call for duty on the sports field.

“With this donation, athletes will now be able to install all the essential health applications like Cocoa which will help in monitoring their health while at the games - as required at the Tokyo games.

He further described the donation as motivating to the athletes as they prepare to go for the games.

In acknowledging his company’s support, Tecno Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Mweemba also assured both athletes and NOCZ of plans to continue partnership between the two.

JULY 12, 2021: TECNO Acting CEO Mweemba (centre) presents the donated items to NOCZ President Alfred Foloko. On the right is NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi. PICTURE: NOCZ Media

He said: “We as Tecno are excited to partner with NOCZ by taking the first step which is this kind of support. As Tecno, we have many other plans and as a way of beginning, we have decided to bring these phones on board and would like to assure you that you have our support while you are there (at the Games).

“We have many activities that happen on the market and we would like to work with you in doing many things. All of you have unique faces and unique following which we believe NOCZ and Tecno put together can bring benefits.

Earlier on Monday morning, Zambia State Insurnace Corperation (ZSIC) also pledged their support by providing travel insurance for the 53-member Olympics delegation.

Speaking at the handover which was held at football house, ZSIC Assistant Director for Marketing Kunda revealed that the travel policy would be worth $40,000 (K906, 426) per individual.

Ngoma said the travel, medical insurance cover would cater for the cost of lost luggage, emergency medical evaluation, hospitisation and medication while in transit and during their stay in Tokyo.