Zambia to host 2019 Africa Weightlifting Championship

The Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) will play host to this year’s Africa Weightlifting Championship slated for 5^th to 9^th September, 2019.

Weightlifting Federation Africa (WFA) Vice President Dr. Kevin Duplooy, announced during a media briefing held at the OYDC, that the competition will attract 15 African countries and further stating that the Championship will be used as qualifiers to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Dr. Duplooy, has appreciated the OYDC, National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development and appealed to the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) to ensure that facilities are available to host the prestigious competition in Zambia.

And Zambia Weightlifting Federation (ZWF) President Amon Masala, disclosed that his federation will spend over K700, 000.00 to successfully host the event. He thanked partners such as the OYDC, NOCZ, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development, NSCZ, Bigtree Beverages LTD the manufacturer of (Kung Fu Energy Drink) ­for being supportive and has since appealed to the corporate world to consider emulating the current partners and see that Zambia get to showcase not only sporting skills but the cultural values it has.

Meanwhile, OYDC Director Dr. Fredrick Chitangala, said the centre remains committed to hosting similar events by making facilities available to both local and international sports federations.

Dr. Chitangala, expressed happiness that OYDC has been picked to host the event. He stated that the 2018- 2022 OYDC Strategic Plan which was launched last year is coming to fruition as more events are being hosted at the multi sports facility which has continued to contribute young, talented athletes to different local clubs and subsequently participate in competitive sports competitions at both local and international level.

Mauritius, Nigeria, Madagascar, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, and Zambia are some of the countries expected to participate in the competition.