THE world shifts attention from the excitement and anguish that came with the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup finals to watching the fastest men compete on the running tracks at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
While the World Cup was engulfed with protests prior to the games kicking off, the Glasgow Games have already started making headlines before the opening ceremony with diarrhoea and vomiting hitting the Athletes Village through a highly contagious norovirus.
That aside, the Cameroonians are making headlines again just like was the case before the World Cup and also at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Two Cameroon wrestlers have disappeared from the team camping in Aberdeen even before competing in events that sent them to the greener pasture of Glasgow.
Many would vividly remember that the Cameroon football team demanded to be paid allowances before boarding a plane to Brazil while seven athletes went missing while in Britain for the Olympic Games two years ago.
Away from the comedy provided by the Cameroonians, Zambia will be among the 71 Commonwealth member countries taking part in the Glasgow Games – the largest multi-sport event to held in Scotland.
Zambia will be represented by 43 athletes in eight of the 17 sporting disciplines on offer during the Games that will ran from July 23 to August 3 but the country has suffered a huge blow following Gerald Phiri’s withdrawal.
Phiri twisted his ankle during a race in the United States of America (USA) leaving Zambia’s chances of winning a gold medal slim.
Those who have followed Phiri’s rise to stardom would agree that Zambia has suffered a major setback, as lamented by Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) president Elias Mpondela, as he is one of those who held hope of a medal in 100m and 200m.
Having rubbed shoulders with the greatest runners in Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yohane Blake, Tyson Gay among others but onus will be on other runners to fill his shoes and make a name for themselves and Zambia.
Past results have been bad for Zambia during such tournaments but it is hoped that this will come to an end especially that boxers and runners have been sent for training camps ahead of the competitions.
National boxing coach Kennedy Kanyanta has declared his boxers ready to fight for medals more so that this is the sport that has brought honours and medals in the past.
Finally, let me urge the Nkana executive committee as well as the club sponsors to give coach Zeddy Saileti time to prove himself unlike rushing to appointment someone else.
I am sure some members have tested the sweetness of playing continental football as it comes with a lot of travels but desperate measures to employ another coach without need, might back fire.
The unity displayed by some Nkana players is commendable as Saileti has done well since taking over from the late Masauso Mwale (M.H.S.R.I.P).
Without campaigning for the ex-Nkana and Zambia striker, Saileti should be given a chance until at least the end of the season as he knows and understands better the philosophy Mwale introduced at the club. For comments: eliaschipepo@gmail.com