•GREEN Eagles goalkeeper, Sachimo Chakawa (left) receives the 2013 Sportsman of the Year award from Zambia National Services (ZNS) representative, Brigadier-General Peter Mulela as Sports Council of Zambia chairperson, Mwamba Kalenga (second right) looks on during the ZNS annual awards ceremony in Lusaka on Thursday. Picture by SHAMAOMA MUSONDA

By SANDRA MWILA –

GREEN Eagles goalkeeper, Sachimo Chakawa was on Thursday night crowned the 2013 Zambia National Service (ZNS) Sportsman of the Year.

The Sportswoman of the Year award went to Mercy Kalunga who also got the Athlete of the Year accolade.

During the annual sports awards ceremony for all disciplines held at ZNS Makeni Garrison Officers Mess, Chakawa, who only conceded eight goals in the 33 FAZ Division One South League matches he featured, scooped the individual top prize while Eagles was named the Club of the Year.

In total Eagles, who got promoted to the 2014 MTN Premier Division League, played 34 games, winning 22, drawing 10 times and scored 50 goals but only conceded eight.

After guiding Eagles to the top flight, coach Justin Chinama deservedly won the Coach of the Year award.

Chakawa said he owed the top accolade to his teammates for exhibiting unity and hard work during the 2013 season.

He promised that Eagles would work hard again this year and ensure they established a permanent slot in the Premiership.

After receiving his award, Chinama said this season his technical bench would work at building up a strong team and maintain Premier Division League status.

“As Green Eagles coach, I am content with the players that are in the team and issues of experience shall not arise,”he said.

Chinama, however, said Eagles were targeting to get the services of Alfred Mafuleka from Kalomo Jetters and that they would be recalling Aubrey Zulu, Timidy Mwanza, Kebby Hachipuka and Spencer Sautu who were loaned out to Red Arrows.

In women football, Sharon Napemba was awarded Player of the Year with Elizabeth Mutale got the Most Consistent Player of the Year award while Sarah Kalaba was named the Most Improved Player.

In netball, Lucy Jere was voted the Player of the Year with Jane Kaluba getting the Improved Player of the Year while the Most Consistent Netballer was Regina Muchimba.

Volleyball awards went to Kangwa Chanda as Player of the Year and Benwell Kabimbe was awarded as the Most Consistent Player.

Robert Mumba was awarded Basketballer of the Year with Mulamwa Mwala scooping the Improved Player of the Year accolade.

Other sporting disciplines that received awards were boxing, golf, judo, karate, chess, squash, tennis, darts and rugby.

ZNS representative, Brigadier-General Peter Mulela said the service felt duty bound to help Government in its sports development agenda by playing a pivotal role in nurturing world class sports men and women.

Mulela said ZNS would continue to form various sports teams to help develop sports and also talent identification programme.