Hon. Nkandu Urges Integrity and Unity at NOCZ Elective AGM
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis C. Nkandu, today officiated the Elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), where he issued a strong call for integrity, unity, and responsible leadership in Zambia’s sports administration.
Addressing delegates, Hon. Nkandu emphasized the critical role of grassroots sports, particularly school games, in identifying and nurturing future athletic talent.
“I am passionate about school games because they are key in identifying and developing future athletes. I encourage federations to actively participate in these activities and use them as platforms for talent identification,” he said.
The Minister raised concern over the increasing trend of airing internal disputes on social media and through international bodies, urging sports administrators to prioritize mature dialogue and internal resolution mechanisms.
“Internal divisions will always exist, but they must be addressed internally with maturity and dialogue. Resorting to public platforms or rushing to international organisations undermines the integrity of our institutions,” he cautioned.
He also reminded those vying for leadership roles within sports federations that such positions are not for personal gain, but should be seen as a call to serve. He warned against the manipulation of organizational constitutions for selfish interests and reiterated government’s commitment to good governance and transparency in sport.
“These positions must be used to advance the interests of athletes and the development of sport in Zambia,” he said. “Let us all conduct ourselves with integrity and uphold the values of accountability and professionalism.”
The AGM also marked the end of tenure for outgoing NOCZ President Alfred Foloko, who reflected on his four-year leadership and the milestones achieved.
“Zambia is now a shining example on the international stage,” said Mr. Foloko. “The last four years have brought numerous achievements, including notable performances at the Commonwealth Games and other global events.”
He expressed appreciation for the support received from the NOCZ Executive, government, and stakeholders, and thanked the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts for maintaining a strong collaborative relationship.
