ZAMBIA HOSTS INAGURAL ATHLETES COMMISSION FORUM

The Zambia Athletes Commission hosted its first ever Athletes’ Commission forum since being put into effect earlier this year.

The forum which was held on 23rd November 2019 at OYDC-Zambia Sports Development Centre attracted 31 activate athletes from various national sports federations affiliated to the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ).

Speaking during his opening remarks, NOCZ and Commonwealth Games Association of Zambia (CGA Zambia) President Alfred Foloko said that NOCZ’s strategic roadmap for the future includes a number of reforms that will increase NOCZ’s engagement with and support for athletes.

“This forum is just one of many positive outcomes as a result of our strategic plan for 2018-2021,” he said.

The President added saying, it is his hope that all the athletes present will use the knowledge from the forum to explore opportunities as well as those of their respective national federations.

Also present at the forum was Olympian Jonathan Chipalo a former 400m sprinter, who represented Zambia at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea.

Chipalo who is a beneficially of Athlete365 opportunities encouraged athletes to take centre stage and engage in various activities that will prepare them for life after active sports.

He said that through the Athletes’ Commission they are privileged to be assisted with various projects and programmes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through Olympic Solidarity and NOCZ.

Meanwhile NOCZ and CGA Zambia Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi who was also present at the forum disclosed that NOCZ is a process of securing funds from Olympic Solidarity that will cater for Zambia Athletes’ Commission activities programmes and activities for the year 2020.

The forum was characterised by different educative and informative sessions which included an introduction to the Athlete365 platform, anti-doping and game manipulation among others.

All athletes present also used the opportunity to sign up for the Athlete365 Online platform.

Athlete365 is an IOC initiative created by athletes, for athletes. Its purpose is to support athletes throughout their journey in sport on and off the field.

NOCZ through Olympic solidarity a development wing of the IOC launched the athletes’ commission on 9th march 2019 for the period 2019-2020 whose main purpose is to safeguard the athletes’ interests, advice and guide the NOCZ board on matters that affect athletes.

The forum was facilitated and organised by the Athletes Commission executive led by Chairperson Suwilanji Mpondela with assistance from NOCZ Secretariat.