By Staff writer
Zambia has continued pursuing new opportunities in sport development as the country endeavors to sustain clean sport and enhanced compliance to the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Kangwa Chileshe in the company of two ministry officials; Director of Sport Mr John C. Zulu and Assistant Director Mr Raphael Mulenga were invited to Barbados in the Caribbean Islands to attend the Seventh Formal UNESCO Fund for Elimination of Doping in Sport Approval Committee meeting Bridgetown, Barbados.
An Approval Committee, as well as the Bureau Meetings were held from 6th to 8th June 2023 under the 8th Conference of Parties (COP 8). The invitation was extended to Zambia in its capacity as Africa representative on the Committee.
During this important meeting, the Committee reviewed and approved four 4 project applications for different countries from around the world. During the meeting the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the high level Africa commitment which Zambia has demonstrated over the last fours years the country has been representing the continent at UNESCO. This was highlighted when the Permanent Secretary made his remarks during the official opening of the meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados.
On the side lines of the meeting, the Permanent Secretary with the two officers paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth, Sport and Community Empowerment Hon. Charles Griffith of Barbados.
The Minister warmly welcomed the Zambian delegation and requested for enhanced bilateral diplomatic ties through a Memorandum of Understanding in Sport Tourism promotion. Honourable Griffith encouraged Zambia to consider introducing the Barbadian discovered Road Tennis sport which the country was popularizing to become an international and Olympic sport. The sport is not only easy to play but it’s also simple and cost effective to arrange. It can be played on any flat surface with drawn dimensions using wooden rackets with a smooth tennis ball. Two pairs of locally made rackets with Road Tennis balls were donated to the Permanent Secretary.
The Permanent Secretary and his accompanying officers spared time in the evening to practically try to play the Road Tennis at one of the community facilities.
The sport attracts all age categories in the community and it promotes social cohesion and health living for the Barbadian citizenry. The Permanent Secretary pledged to introduce the sport in Zambia and probably facilitate Zambia’s participation in the first ever Road Tennis international competition taking place in Barbados in 2024.
Barbados is admirably economically strong in tourism and as such, Zambia can learn from the Atlantic Ocean Island how to promote sport tourism through bilateral ties.
