By GRACE CHAILE  –

ZAMBIA’S female runners are confident of reaping medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland next month
Speaking in an interview, Africa’s 400 metres champion, Kabange Mupopo, said winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games was not a matter of chance but a reality that would come true.
“I am aware of the stiff competition that lies ahead of us, the Kenyans, Americans and Jamaicans. Yet, I am not intimidated because I know what I have put in. My goal is not just to win a medal but to set a new record,” the multi-talented Mupopo, who also guided the Zambia women soccer team to a historic African Women’s Championship qualification, said of the ‘Club’ Games scheduled for July 23 to August 3 in Glasgow.
Rhodah Njobvu, another 400 metres specialist, said the Commonwealth Games were a platform to showcase the strides that Zambia’s women athletics had made.
“It is a high platform for me, but Iam looking at it as an opportunity to unveil my full potential. This is a year that will mark a new era in female athletics,” she said.
Yvonne Nalishuwa, 100 and 200 metres runner, said the female team was capable of causing ‘terror’ at this year’s sports spectacle.
Nalishuwa said the technical team had put in the best and that a training camp in Germany would just put ‘icing on the cake’.
Zambia Amateur Athletics Association technical director Kesia Nyendwa said the female athletes’ performance in training was impressive and expressed confidence of reaping medals in Scotland.
Nyendwa said the Germany camp would be the final preparations that would also expose the local-based female runners to the best facilities.
The Zambia athletics team has Gerald Phiri, Harry Mulenga, Prince Mumba, Saviour Kombe, Emmauel Mwaba, Titus Kafunda, Joseph Sinkala, Caphas Nyimbili, Mupopo, Njobvu and Nalishuwa.