The Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) has disclosed that Zambian athletes have intensified preparations for major international competitions scheduled for 2026. In an exclusive interview with The media, ZAAA General Secretary, Teddy Shimishi confirmed that athletes, including star sprinter Muzala Samukonga, have already resumed training ahead of the Diamond League in Doha, Qatar in April. Shimishi cited the historic World Athletics Relay Championships, set to take place in Gaborone, Botswana, from May 2 to 3, and the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, scheduled for May 12 to 18, 2026.He described the 2026 athletics calendar as busy, noting that it covers local, regional, continental and global competitions.However, Shimishi said limited infrastructure and funding remain major challenges, adding that Zambia currently lacks a World Athletics certified facility required for athlete qualification.As a result, he explained that athletes are forced to travel outside the country to qualify, significantly increasing costs.The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline.
Shimishi cited the historic World Athletics Relay Championships, set to take place in Gaborone, Botswana, from May 2 to 3, and the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, scheduled for May 12 to 18, 2026. He described the 2026 athletics calendar as busy, noting that it covers local, regional, continental and global competitions.However, Shimishi said limited infrastructure and funding remain major challenges, adding that Zambia currently lacks a World Athletics certified facility required for athlete qualification.As a result, he explained that athletes are forced to travel outside the country to qualify, significantly increasing costs.The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline. He described the 2026 athletics calendar as busy, noting that it covers local, regional, continental and global competitions.
However, Shimishi said limited infrastructure and funding remain major challenges, adding that Zambia currently lacks a World Athletics certified facility required for athlete qualification.As a result, he explained that athletes are forced to travel outside the country to qualify, significantly increasing costs.The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline. However, Shimishi said limited infrastructure and funding remain major challenges, adding that Zambia currently lacks a World Athletics certified facility required for athlete qualification. As a result, he explained that athletes are forced to travel outside the country to qualify, significantly increasing costs.The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline.
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As a result, he explained that athletes are forced to travel outside the country to qualify, significantly increasing costs. The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline. The media reports that Shimishi appealed to the government, sponsors and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia, to support resource mobilisation.
He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.Shimishi also said that ZAAA has placed strong emphasis on its talent identification programme, with more than 60 young athletes selected through competitions held at Kafubule Ranch and the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).He explained that most of the identified athletes are school-based and form the core of Zambia’s future athletics pipeline. He stressed that adequate funding is critical for athlete preparation and international representation, adding that with proper logistical and financial support, Zambia has the potential to compete strongly and raise its profile on the global athletics stage.
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