By Mulenga Chapoloko
America based business executive David Long has donated kit to the Kitwe athletics academy belonging to former world athletics champion Samuel Matete.
Former Zambian runner Reuben Silwimba, who is based in America, handed over the kit comprising of tops, shorts and sneakers to Matete at Kitwe Playing Fields on Tuesday.
In an interview with journalists, Silwimba thanked Long for the donation and promised that more support will come to the Matete Academy.
“I appreciate the works Big Sam (Matete) is doing for the kids here. This is just the beginning more will come. I have delivered the kit from David Long our friend from Savannah Georgia in the US,” he said.
Matete hailed the donation saying the kit will motivate young runners at the academy.
“We are very excited and the kids are happy and looking forward to competing in the 2020 season,” he said.
“Our very own Reuben Silwimba has done a good by remembering where he is coming from. He has brought all this equipment for our academy,” Matete added.
Young athletes interviewed by journalists during the handover at Kitwe Playing Fields expressed their excitement.
“We are very happy because this is the first time we are seeing such things happen here,” Captain Ilunga Ilunga added.
The academy has groomed 17-year-old Ruth Mutale who finished seventh in the 2019 National Championships.
