• Sports Minister Moses Mawere admires Judoka Andrew Kashwanga’s medals when the Zambian team paid a courtesy call at his office to present their medals yesterday. Picture BY ADRIAN MWANZA

By ADRIAN  MWANZA –
SPORTS Minister Moses Mawere has congratulated the Zambian team that took part in the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five games in Angola for putting up a splendid performance and reaping 16 medals.
The minister said this when he received the Zambian team at his office where they came to present their medals.
He said his ministry was proud of the Zambian athletes and that Government will remain committed to the participation of athletes in regional and international competitions.
Mawere hailed the athletes for managing to mint 16 medals at the prestigious event which was hosted by Angola.
“I am very delighted this afternoon to welcome our vibrant athletes back home after a great performance in Angola during the AUSC,” he said.
The minister commended the coaches for doing a good job in ensuring the team did not only participated but also reaped medals in the various disciplines.
“It is not enough to merely participate in any competition but winning is key as it ensures value for money and time spent with respect to any tournament,” he said.
He said the nation had passed the developmental stage of sport where they were just participating for formality but that they were fast transitioning into high performance country.
“As a nation, I believe that we are past the developmental stage of sport where we are merely participating for the sake of it,” he said.
Mawere urged the athletes to put Region Five games behind them and concentrate on the Commonwealth and Tokyo Games.
“We should put the AUSC behind us and focus on the Common wealth and Tokyo Games which are also important events for us,” he said.
He also urged the athletes to take good care of themselves and continue working hard in order to improve and perfect their talent if they were to continue reaping medals in the future.