• FROM left to right: Coach Douglas Kalembo, Nike agent Kuba Wasowski with runners Sydney Siame, Kabange Mupopo and Zambia Amateur Athletics Association president Elias Mpondela at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC). Picture by ADRIAN MWANZA.

By ADRIAN MWANZA and SANDRA MWILA –
WORLD 100m record holder Sydney Siame yesterday inked a three year Nike deal which saw him become the brand ambassador.
Siame, who is currently fastest man on the globe with a time of 9.87 seconds, signed a progressive deal subject to extension.
The runner said he was happy to be part of the Nike brand and vowed to continue to working hard in future events.
“I am really humbled to be recognised by Nike because they are a big organisation with a list of top athletes on their list. Let me also urge other athletes in the country to continue working hard because the sky is the limit,” Siame said.
Nike agent Kuba Wasowski the said his firm, ITG Elite Sports Management, had a number of events lined up for the athlete.
Wasowski said Siame would compete in four major events in Europe which included countries like Latvia, France and Finland.
He expressed happiness to be associated with Siame because he had proved to be a good athlete who could even do better in the future.
“We are looking at bringing in new athletes because these guys have proved to be good and can make it in the world,” he said.
Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) president Elias Mpondela said Nike had been observing Siame since he won gold during Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympics in China.
Mpondela said the association could not disclose the actual amount the deal was worth but that the athlete would be drawing a salary and other bonuses.
“Sidney has inked a deal with Nike which will go up to 2021 and it comes with a number of perks which we will disclose at a later stage,” he said.
He said the athlete would be receiving free kit to use during major events which includes shoes and other facilities.
Mpondela added that Nike were observing other runners like Kabange Mupopo, the current African 400m women champion, Hazemba Chidamba and Rhoda Njovu.
“I would like to urge other athletes to continue working hard if they are to receive such ventures,” he said.