By SANDRA MWILA –
MULTI-TALENTED athlete Kabange Mupopo has been promoted to sergeant by the Zambia Army following her achievements in athletics.
Mupopo, who was a recruit, was promoted on Friday evening during the 2015 Zambia Army sports awards held at Arakan Barracks in Lusaka by Army Commander Paul Mihova.
The former Shepolopolo captain was promoted after being named the 2015 Sportswoman-of-the-Year.
Mupopo won the only gold medal for Team Zambia at the Congo Brazzaville 2015 All-Africa Games (AAG) after winning the 400m final.
Boxer Ben Muziyo, who won bronze at the AAG, scooped the Sportsman-of-the-Year and was promoted from corporal to sergeant.
Green Buffaloes footballers Lineker Mwikisa and Lawrence Phiri were also promoted from corporal to sergeants.
Green Buffaloes coach Bilton Musonda was named Coach-of-the-Year for his outstanding performance in the 2015 soccer season that saw him guide the club to winning the Barclays Cup as well as a fourth place finish in the MTN Premier League.
Netball team coach Catherine Chonya was runner-up to Musonda in the coaches’ category as the Buffaloes men’s football team was voted Most Improved Team for having won the 2015 Barclays Cup and finishing fourth in the league.
Buffaloes women’s football team, coached by Beauty Mwamba, won the 2015 Club-of-the-Year while squash player Kelvin Likando was named the Most Promising athlete.
Lieutenant-General Mihova said the promotions were aimed at motivating the athletes whom he urged to continue working hard to be considered for the various national teams’ places.
Zambia Army director of sport Vincent Mulenga said it was happy that the sports awards had been held since 2012.