SPORTS MINISTER HON. NKANDU APPLAUDS OYDC AS HE TOURS FACILITIES & SPORTS ACTIVITIES

By Noah Silomba Uncategorized 0 Comments

OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre on Friday 8 October, 2021 hosted the Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu MP who was on a familiarisation tour of the sports facility and its activities.

The minister expressed gratitude to OYDC Zambia for the continued hosting of the Teulings Youth Sports Challenge a youthful competition which has been running at the Centre since 2011.

Hon. Nkandu disclosed that government wants to see more support to the OYDC adding that it is gratifying that young talented youths are usually engaged in over 20 sports disciplines.

And the minister pledged to engage other ministries to ensure that activities at the centre are supported to improve sport and recreation services.

Meanwhile, OYDC Zambia Board of Trustees Chairperson Simangolwa Shakalima told the minister that the Centre continues to record success stories as it is riding on the four year strategic plan which was launched in 2018.

He added that OYDC embraces sports disciplines which some people may describe as minor and have seen many playing for different clubs and teams.

And National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi highlighted how the OYDC has played a key role in the development of sport in the country by camping athletes who have been representing Zambia at competitive games such as the Region 5 and Olympic games.

Kambikambi, further said plans are underway to turn the OYDC into a regional training centre with the help of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).Before touring the facility OYDC Chief Executive Officer Dr Fredrick Chitangala briefed the minister with a presentation to highlight the genesis of the sports facility.

In his presentation Dr Chitangala, hinted that the Centre is still looking for more funders to help with maintenance of some facilities whose lifespan has expired.Present during the tour was Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Director of Sports John Zulu and his deputy, OYDC Zambia Board of Trustees member Dickson Jere who is also TeQball Federation Zambia president, OYDC management among others.