THE rechristened African Union Sports Commission (AUSC) Region Five Under-20 Games gets underway this week in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
As last hosts for the then Supreme Council for Sport in Africa SCSA Zone Six Under-20 Games in 2012, Zambia was expected to send a large contingent of athletes to Bulawayo but it seems only a handful will travel.
Zambia finished overall third with 41 medals behind eventual winners, South Africa (132 medals) and Namibia (65 medals) two years ago and were seen as among the top contenders for the sixth regional sports spectacle.
We were told that since Zimbabwe is nearby, a large contingent of athletes will be sent for the AUSC Region Five Under-20 Games championship.
It is sad that even the women football team that won us gold will not make a trip to Zimbabwe to defend the championship.
In fact, Zambia will only participate in one team event – football (Under-20 men’s team). Basketballers, volleyballers and netballers will all be following the proceedings from Bulawayo at home.
Zambia will only be sending judokas, boxers, swimmers, under-20 football team, runners, tennis players and paralympians.
Despite the contingent being small, the vibe coming from the respective sport disciplines is impressive as the authorities have assured of a good show.
I can only wish our athletes the best of luck in Zimbabwe and hope medals will rain again.
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Hats off to Zesco United for completing a historic double this season- winning the 2014 MTN Premier Division League title last weekend and the Barclays Cup yesterday.
It is equally unfortunate that Nkana, the dethroned league champions, have now gone 16 games since 2004 without beating Zesco.
Congratulations also to Zesco coach George Lwandamina for being the first Zambian manager to win the Barclays Cup two years on the trot with two different clubs.
Lwandamina won the Barclays Cup with Red Arrows last year. Zesco made history by winning both the league and Barclays Cup in 2007, 2008, 2010 and now 2014.
It is my hope now that Zesco will prepare adequately and represent Zambia well in the 2015 CAF Champions League and beat the 2009 record when the Ndola side reached the lucrative group stage.
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