By Adrian Mwanza –
ZAMBIAN swimmer Ralph Goveia today lands in Brazil for the Olympic Games and will become the first Zambian athlete to touch down in Rio de Janeiro for the world’s spots jamboree.
Goveia, who is currently training with the South African swimming team at Cocoa Beachin Florida,will fly into Rio de Janeiro today together with the South Africa team ahead of the games.
Boxer Benny Muziyo will be the next Zambian in in Brazil as he touches down tomorrow (August 1) while Judoka Mathews Punza is expected to fly to Brazil on August 3 on the same day as female swimmer Jade Howard.
With Athletics starting later, the Zambians runners will join in late with 400m African women champion Kabange Mupopo only leaving her Zambian base on August 6.National Olympics Committee (NOC) Secretary General Hazel Kennedy said all the preparations had been made and that they were just waiting for the Olympics to begin.
Kennedy said Gerald Phiri and Jordan Chipangama were expected to fly to Brazil on August 8 and 9 respectively.
She said the Zambian contingent would not travel as one due to their stationing in various locations across the world and that they will link up in Rio.
“It won’t be possible for the team to leave as a group because they are all in various parts of the globe and it would be costly on our part,” hesaid.
And Sports Deputy Minister Ronald Chitotela urged the Zambian contingent of sportsmen and women to remain steadfast as they competeat the games.
Chitotela said the athletes needed to put in their level best if theywere to reap any medals at the prestigious event.
He said Government had continued to pump in a lot of money in sportsdevelopment hence the need for athletes to be more serious.
“We have continued to endeavour to pump in money in sports developmenteven though our athletes do not perform as well as well might want them to at such high level events,” he said.