.GUY SCOTT
By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
REPUBLICAN Vice -President, Guy Scott has said he expects the Zambian contingent going to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to win medals.
When he flagged off the Queen’s Baton Relay at the Cabinet Office in Lusaka yesterday, Scott challenged the athletes to do the country proud by winning as many medals as possible in Scotland.
Scott braved the rains that overwhelmed the city yesterday along with First Republican president Kenneth Kaunda, Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili and British High Commissioner James Thornton.
Others included Scottish Minister of External Affairs and International Development, Humza Yousaf, National Olympic Committee (NOC) president Miriam Moyo, senior Government officials and diplomats accredited to Zambia.
From Cabinet Office, the relay passed through the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) situated at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) before proceeding to Arcades Shopping Mall to Olympafrica and ending at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).
The Queen’s Baton goes round all countries that will be taking part in the Commonwealth Games and is an equivalent of the Olympic Torch.
• LET THE GAMES BEGIN….SPORTS Minister, Chishimba Kambwili (left) passes the Queen’s Baton to First Republican President, Kenneth Kaunda during yesterday’s Zambian leg of the relay in Lusaka, signalling the start of the countdown to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Queen’s Baton Relay passes through 70 nations before the start of the quadrennial multi-sport spectacle. Picture by JEAN MANDELA
Former world 400m hurdles champion, Samuel Matete and 2002 Commonwealth gold medallist, Kennedy Kanyanta were among those who participated in the relay.
Scott expressed hope that Zambia would send a bigger contingent for the Commonwealth Games to enhance the country’s chances of minting many medals in July.
“I hope we can send many athletes for the Commonwealth Games so that we can win as many medals. I hope the athletes can take this opportunity to represent Zambia and win medals just like we surprised ourselves when we won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Let’s go and get the gold,” he said.
And Thornton assured that the Commonwealth Games would be as well organised as the London Olympic Games held in 2012.
Thornton expressed hope that the Zambian Government could take lessons from the organisation of the event as the nation bids to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
He said the ‘Club’ Games would accord youths an opportunity to come together and share ideas.
The other objective of the competition, he said, was to unite people from different cultures. Thornton said he was expecting Zambian athletes to win medals.
National Olympic Committee (NOC) president, Miriam Moyo urged athletes to step up their preparations ahead of the Games, saying the Queen’s Baton should serve as a reminder. A representative from the Queen’s Baton Relay, Adam Berth said Zambia was the 32nd country where the baton had visited in 111 days.
