Muzala Samukonga Calls for Serious Leadership in Zambian Athletics

Celebrated Zambian sprinter Muzala Samukonga has called for what he describes as “serious leadership” and a stronger commitment to athlete development in Zambian athletics, raising concerns over the financial burden placed on athletes representing the country on national duty. Samukonga, one of Zambia’s leading athletes on the international stage, made the remarks in a strongly […]

Celebrated Zambian sprinter Muzala Samukonga has called for what he describes as “serious leadership” and a stronger commitment to athlete development in Zambian athletics, raising concerns over the financial burden placed on athletes representing the country on national duty.

Samukonga, one of Zambia’s leading athletes on the international stage, made the remarks in a strongly worded social media post in which he questioned why athletes should be required to meet expenses such as airfares when travelling to represent the country.

The sprinter argued that representing Zambia should be treated as a national responsibility and that athletes selected for national duties should receive adequate support from the relevant authorities.

“You cannot build champions when you burden them with costs that government through the association should cover,” Samukonga said.

His comments specifically criticised the current leadership of Zambia Athletics under president MJ Bernard Bwalya, with the athlete expressing disappointment over what he described as continued challenges surrounding athlete welfare and financial support.

According to Samukonga, some athletes have had to meet their own travel expenses while representing Zambia, a situation he believes could undermine the country’s efforts to develop elite athletes and compete for medals internationally.

“How can we expect to grow the sport and win medals when athletes are being asked to pay for their own air tickets to represent the nation?” he questioned.

Samukonga further called on the Ministry of Sport and other stakeholders to intervene in the administration and development of athletics, arguing that athletes deserve stronger institutional support.

He also claimed that the current Zambia Athletics administration has failed to deliver major achievements, establish adequate athlete welfare systems or provide a clear development plan for the sport since taking office.

The sprinter contrasted the current situation with the previous administration led by Elias Mpondela, acknowledging that the former leadership also had shortcomings but arguing that he saw greater effort on certain national duties and athlete-related issues.
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Samukonga’s comments come at a time when Zambia continues to look to athletics for international success, with the country having produced athletes capable of competing at major continental and global competitions.

The sprinter believes that producing more champions requires an environment in which athletes can concentrate on training and competition rather than worrying about how they will finance trips undertaken on behalf of the country.

He said the situation had gone “out of hand” and urged authorities to address what he considers systemic problems affecting Zambian athletics.

The comments are likely to generate debate among athletes, sports administrators and fans, particularly over the responsibilities of national sports associations and government when athletes are selected to represent Zambia at international competitions.

Samukonga’s criticism also raises broader questions about athlete welfare, funding, accountability and resource mobilisation within national sports federations.

For a country seeking to develop more world-class athletes, the question is not only how much talent Zambia possesses, but also whether the systems supporting that talent are strong enough to turn potential into sustained international success.

Samukonga’s message is ultimately a call for the athlete to be placed at the centre of Zambia’s athletics development agenda.

He wants the country’s athletes to have an environment where representing Zambia is supported as a national duty rather than becoming a financial burden that individual competitors are expected to carry.

The concerns expressed by the sprinter are his own views and would need to be addressed by Zambia Athletics and the Ministry of Sport, which may provide their respective positions on the issues raised.
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