Mushipi speaks on new role as National Athletics Coach

Newly appointed Interim National Head Coach Sydney Ackim Mushipi says his appointment is a moment of great honour and humility and a call to serve the nation. Reacting to his appointment by Zambia Athletics at its Executive meeting on 12th September, Mushipi said he receives…

Newly appointed Interim National Head Coach Sydney Ackim Mushipi says his appointment is a moment of great honour and humility and a call to serve the nation.

Reacting to his appointment by Zambia Athletics at its Executive meeting on 12th September, Mushipi said he receives the role with discipline, loyalty and patriotism.

“It is a moment of great honour and humility. To be entrusted by Zambia Athletics to lead our national team is not just a personal achievement, but a call to serve the nation,” Mushipi said.

“I feel the weight of the responsibility, but also the confidence that comes from years of preparation – from Zone VI Games to Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Youth Games and All Africa Games. I am ready to serve.”

Mushipi said serving as National Youth Director and Development Manager was a foundation which taught him where the future lies – in the youth.

He described the transition as a natural progression from building the base to leading the top.

“It means continuity. The athletes I nurtured from Mauritius 2013, Nanjing 2014, Samoa 2015 and Ndola 2023 are now seniors. Now I have the opportunity to complete their journey from junior promise to senior podium,” he said.

“For the national team, it means a seamless system where development and high performance are connected.”

On his plan for the national team, Mushipi said: “We will not change everything, we will improve our system.”

He outlined professionalizing the high-performance approach with science-based training for sprints and hurdles, his speciality, but extended to all events.

“As Ex Manager of Africa Athletics Development Centre Lusaka and World Athletics Lecturer, I will bring international standards to our coaches. A competitive nation needs competitive coaches,” Mushipi said.

“Our goal is simple: move Zambia from participation to podium at Region 5, Africa Games, Commonwealth and World level.”

Mushipi said he fully aligns with the President’s vision of Catch Them Young, describing it as the only sustainable future.

He unveiled a four-fold plan:

a) Schools Activation: As former Head Coach for International Schools of East and Southern Africa in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Uganda, he will strengthen inter-schools and provincial talent identification.

b) ZAHPC Lusaka Hub: Use the Africa Athletics Development Centre as national talent centre for early development.

c) Coaches in Communities: Train and deploy CAA and ZA Lecturers to every province to catch talent at 12-15 years.

The fourth pillar is expected to focus on retention and transition pathways.

Mushipi holds World Athletics Level 3, World Athletics Coaching Diploma and Sports Science Diploma from Mainz University, Germany.