By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
THE National Olympics Committee (NOC) has said the development of Zambian athletes is nearing perfection.
NOC secretary general Hazel Kennedy said her committee was on the right track towards achieving its 2020 vision owing to the athlete’s outstanding performances this year.
The NOC has put in place various strategies that range from skill development and the technical aspect of various Olympic sports with the aim of minting gold medals at the 2020 Olympic Games.
At the just ended African Union Sports Commission (AUSC) Region Five Games in Zimbabwe, Zambia 27 minted medals with the athletics team claimed nine, boxers won four same as judokas while swimmers scooped five medals.
Kennedy said 2014 has been a successful year in the NOC’s efforts to prepare athletes for medals. She said Zambia was one of the countries that provided stiff competition for honours across the continent and the world at large.
“We are very happy that our programs are bearing fruit. 2014 had been successful year as we scored positives in various sports disciplines.
One of our athletes from the Copperbelt Sidney Siame won a gold medal at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing and that was a clear indication that our athletes can compete at a top level and we are very that our programs are reaping benefits,” Kennedy said.
She said the national Olympics body was targeting at developing young athletes as they hold the key to Zambia’s medals in future Olympic Games.
Kennedy said Zambia’s Olympic future was bright owing to a number of youth athletes, who were shining on the international scene.
She said the NOC was committed to ensuring that more scholarships were secured in an effort to improve the technical ability of athletes and officials.