Sports Development Decentralised

Zambia rolls out nationwide training and deployment of Community Sports Development Officers to strengthen grassroots structures across all 116 districts

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (12-06-2026)  -- The National Sports Council of Zambia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kwame Nkrumah University to train Community Sports Development Officers as part of a nationwide programme to deploy officers across all 116 districts, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots sports structures and improving talent identification across the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Kangwa Chileshe, said the agreement represents a significant step in professionalising sports development and improving the delivery of programmes at community level.

Chileshe said the initiative is aligned with government’s broader agenda of decentralisation, which seeks to ensure that resources and services are delivered closer to local communities.

“What we are witnessing today is the continuation of a national vision that prioritises bringing development closer to the people. This is not a matter of debate but a necessary step in strengthening our systems,” he said.

He stressed that effective sports development depends on the competence of personnel at grassroots level, adding that government remains committed to building a skilled workforce capable of implementing national sports policies efficiently.

Chileshe said the MoU will facilitate the development of structured and accredited training programmes in sports administration, community engagement, safeguarding, talent identification, coaching, event management, and monitoring and evaluation.

He explained that the trained Community Sports Development Officers will play a key role in promoting participation in sport among youth, women, girls, and persons with disabilities, while also supporting talent identification and development across communities.

Chileshe further noted that the partnership between the National Sports Council of Zambia and Kwame Nkrumah University reflects the importance of collaboration between government and institutions of higher learning in advancing national development goals.

He commended the technical teams from both institutions for their work in developing the framework that led to the agreement.

The Ministry said the initiative is expected to strengthen institutional capacity in the sports sector and contribute to broader national development objectives, using sport as a tool for social and economic transformation.

NSCZ Chief Executive Officer Sombwa Musonsa said the initiative marks a historic milestone in Zambia’s sports sector, describing it as the first structured programme of its kind under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.

Musonsa said the programme is designed to build a critical mass of qualified sports development professionals who will coordinate, develop, and promote sport at community level across all districts, ensuring structured and consistent delivery of sports programmes.

He described the initiative as a “game changer,” saying it will strengthen the professional backbone of community sport and ensure equal access to sports development opportunities in both rural and urban areas.

He expressed appreciation for the partnership with Kwame Nkrumah University, noting that it will play a central role in training and equipping officers to support sports development at district level.

Musonsa also commended the Government of the Republic of Zambia and President Hakainde Hichilema for the decentralisation policy, saying it has enabled the expansion of sports development structures across the country.

He said the policy has improved participation in sport and strengthened the identification and nurturing of talent at local level.

According to the NSCZ, the deployment of Community Sports Development Officers is expected to enhance talent identification systems, improve Zambia’s competitiveness in international competitions, and inspire young athletes in communities nationwide.

Musonsa further called on national sports federations to work closely with the newly trained officers to strengthen coordination and expand sports programmes.

He assured stakeholders of the council’s commitment to ensuring that the programme begins delivering results immediately, adding that the partnership with the university will also serve as a model for future collaborations in the sector.

Kwame Nkrumah University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francis Tembo, said he was honoured to officiate at the signing of the MoU between the university, the National Sports Council of Zambia, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, and the Ministry of Local Government.

He described the occasion as a key milestone in strengthening collaboration aimed at advancing human capital development in the sports sector, noting that sustainable sports development depends on professionalism, leadership capacity, and effective programme implementation.

Prof. Tembo said the Sports Administration and Community Development programme is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in sports management and community engagement, with the aim of producing competent graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.

He explained that the curriculum will develop competencies in policy analysis, governance, and leadership, aligned with the Eighth National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He further noted that the programme promotes inclusion by targeting women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups, ensuring broader participation in sports and community development.

Prof. Tembo added that the programme also fosters leadership, good governance, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development through sport.

He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, including the National Sports Council of Zambia, to improve sports administration and enhance the development of systems and facilities.

Adam Jere, representing the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Gabriel Pollen, conveyed apologies for his absence, noting that official financial and administrative commitments had prevented him from attending the event in person.

He said the Ministry fully supports the initiative, describing it as consistent with government efforts to strengthen service delivery and deepen decentralisation.

He noted that local government plays a central role in national development because it brings governance closer to the people, adding that community sports fall directly within the scope of local authorities.

He said community sports promote unity, social cohesion, and public participation in development processes, while also contributing to healthier communities that support productivity and economic growth.

Mr Jere assured stakeholders that the Ministry would continue supporting the programme at all levels to ensure effective coordination and implementation of community sports activities.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the initiative before handing back to the programme moderators.