By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –

COPPERBELT musclemen have endorsed Danny Mkandawire for the Zambia Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (ZBBFF) presidency ahead of the February 8, elective annual general meeting (AGM) billed for Lusaka.
2014 Mr Independence winner Honest Muyupi, who spoke on behalf of Copperbelt bodybuilders, said yesterday that Mkandawire had shown leadership in handling of the federation’s affairs and that he needed to continue as president.
Muyupi said bodybuilders from all Copperbelt based gymnasiums have unanimously resolved to rally behind Mkandawire and his vice Brown Ng’ambi at the forthcoming indaba.
He said the current executive committee had managed to hold a number of important competitions despite failing t6o stage the 2014 Mr Zambia contest, which he said was due to technical challenges that have been acknowledged by the musclemen.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to announce that all the bodybuilders on the Copperbelt have resolved top support Danny Mkandawire and Brown Ng’ambi for the positions of president and vice president respectively, come February 8, 2015.
We feel the two leaders have shown commitment in improving the sport and results can be seen.
Last year, Zambia managed to stage the Southern Africa bodybuilding competition that had not been held for years, they also managed to have presence at the 2014 Mr Olympia Amateur Africa in South Africa. These are indications that they have the potential to take bodybuilding to greater heights,” Muyupi said.
Meanwhile, Mkandawire, who is a second four-year term in office, said he was humbled by the endorsement ahead of the AGM.
He pledged to continue with various programs of improving the level of bodybuilding in the country.
“I am seeking re-election because I feel a lot needs to be done in the area of improving bodybuilding. In my first term of office, I was laying ground work for various programs and having appreciated the challenges in the sport, I am better placed to provide solutions,” Mkandawire said.