MATHEWS NDANDULA
NATIONAL Olympic Committee of Zambia president Alfred Foloko celebrated his birthday recently by honouring some boxers who once raised the Zambian flag during their time.
Foloko took time on his birthday to gift boxers Albert Musakabala and Lucky Mutale, who represented the country way back in 80s.
“As president of all the sports federations / associations I have decided to spend my special day with some of the athletes which might have been forgotten by many. These people once raised the Zambian flag and we must not forget them they are living legends,” he said.
NOCZ President who is also president for Zambia judo association was accompanied by Pastor Peter Makembo who expressed happiness by the move made by the president Foloko to remember those who once made the country smile during their time.
Pastor Makembo said the president s move has never been done by the past presidents for national Olympic Committee of Zambia and that others should emulate and move together in oneness as sports is a unifying factor.
Handball Secretary General Jasob Changa said the gesture by president Foloko is a challenge to other sports administrators who should also jump on board and do the same because without the athletes there was not going to be any sports association or federation hence to need to get back on the ground and help them (athletes) in one way or another.
And Exodus Boxing Academy manager Anthony Mwamba was happy to see the boxers, who were in the same intake, being recognized by the father of sports organizations in the country.
Mr Mwamba disclosed that he will be back in the ring to fight for charity, aimed at helping veteran boxers who retired.
Mwamba said the money which will be raised during his fights will go towards the building of housing units for the elderly pugilists.
Also present at the gift presentation was the boxing national team coach Wisdom Mudenda, who said boxing in Zambia has a good record on the international level despite not being appreciated by many including sports leaders.
He thanked president Foloko, as he is the first National Olympic Committee of Zambia president who thought of honouring veteran boxers.
The two boxers visited were visibly happy to see that they are still remembered for their patriotism.
Albert Musakabala boxed as flyweight and won a bronze medal during the 1982 Commonwealth games in Brisbane Australia, in 1983 he won a bronze medal during the AIBA World Cup, while in 1983 he walked away with silver medal during the east and central boxing championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lucky Mutale was soldier in Zambia Army and boxed under the flyweight and bantamweight category. In 1975 he won a gold medal during the all Africa Military Boxing championship in Ghana, in 1976 he was part of the Olympic team that were held in Montreal Canada but after the draw’s Zambia boycotted. In 1978 he won a gold medal during the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria in 1979. He won gold medal during the east and central military boxing championship in Tanzania and 1980 he boxed as flyweight during Moscow Olympic games in USSR. In 1980 he won a gold medal during the world military boxing championship in Baghdad Iraq. In 1981 he won gold during the East and Central Africa boxing championship in Lusaka and again in 1982.
In 1983, Mutale won a silver medal during the All Africa boxing championship in Jinja Uganda. 1984 he won a silver medal during World Military Boxing championship in Kampala Uganda. 1985 he won a gold medal during the East and Central military boxing championship in Harare, Zimbabwe.
