The National Olympic Committee Zambia (NOCZ) has sent two Zambian athletes Banny Muziyo (boxer) and Steven Mungandu (Judo) to France to attend a year long training camp in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying.
The two athletes are recipient of the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship offered by the International Olympic committee and will be based at the Regional Center Youth and Sports in Yerville France. The International Olympic committee has catered for all the expenses of the athletes including accommodation and transport.
Their Scholarships will run from 1st May 2019 till May 2020 hence the high performance training camp will enable them to take part in the qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Speaking during the sendoff ceremony at the Kenneth Kaunda International airport, NOCZ Secretary General Boniface Kambikambi urged the athletes to be at their best behavior and train hard towards qualifying for Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He also urged them to work hard and represent Zambia well. He said language barrier will not be a problem as must of the activities will be conducted in English. “We are happy for this opportunity given to our athletes by the International Olympic Committee to trains our two boys and prepare them for the qualification of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. I would just like to urge the boys to work hard as they are not only representing themselves but the country as a all,” he said.
And Judo athlete Steven Mungandu said he is proud to be given this opportunity and does not take the opportunity lightly. He says the two athletes will do their best and ensure that they qualify for the Tokyo 2020 olympics.