Wellness Key to a Proactive and Productive Workforce
The Ministry of Tourism has lauded the remarkable efforts of the Zambia Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ZIBFS) and the Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) for successfully hosting the 2025 Bankers’ Sports Day.
The dynamic event served as a platform to foster wellness, promote teamwork, and facilitate professional networking, while underscoring the growing synergy between sports and tourism as essential drivers of national development.
Hon. Rodney Sikumba, MP, Minister of Tourism and Guest of Honour at the event, highlighted the strong connection between sports and tourism, emphasizing that sporting events like the Bankers’ Sports Day offer more than just athletic competition.
According to Sikumba, such events also provide valuable opportunities for travel, allowing individuals to explore Zambia’s scenic beauty while supporting the local economy.
“Sporting events like the Bankers’ Sports Day are more than just athletic competitions; they are opportunities to travel, discover our country’s beauty, and promote local economies. When professionals explore Zambia in the spirit of health and adventure, they become ambassadors of domestic tourism. This is how we strengthen both our bodies and our economy,” stated Sikumba.
The Minister also urged banks to prioritize wellness by offering high-performing employees a holiday as part of this year’s theme, “Health and Adventure.” He reaffirmed the Ministry of Tourism’s dedication to developing sports tourism as a strategic growth area that can attract more visitors to Zambia’s natural sites, bolster the hospitality sector, and promote cultural preservation.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Lishala Situmbeko, President of the Zambia Institute of Banking & Financial Services, stressed the importance of mental and physical resilience in the banking sector. “The theme ‘Health and Adventure: The Currency of a Thriving Professional’ reminds us that our sector’s success depends not only on financial acumen but on physical and mental resilience. This Sports Day brings us together not just to compete, but to reconnect with each other and with the vibrant landscape of our nation,” Situmbeko said.
Sports Personality of the Year, Margaret Belemu, also took the opportunity to encourage Zambians to continue supporting women in sports. Reflecting on her own journey, Belemu shared that her success is a testament to perseverance and the power of believing in one’s dreams.
The Ministry of Tourism recognizes that events like these unite professionals, communities, and service providers, creating a shared sense of pride and commitment to Zambia’s development.
Looking ahead, the Ministry will continue promoting cross-sectoral partnerships that blend wellness initiatives with tourism development, ensuring that more Zambians have the chance to experience the beauty of their homeland while contributing to the country’s socio-economic transformation.
