Foloko Calls on Diaspora to Uncover Zambian Winter Sports Talent
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During Team Zambia's visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Paris on the sidelines of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) President Alfred Foloko made an important appeal to Zambians living abroad. He called on the diaspora community to assist NOCZ in identifying Zambian athletes who are currently practicing or competing in winter sports.

Foloko emphasized the importance of exploring available opportunities to help these athletes develop their skills and potential, with the ultimate goal of representing Zambia on the global stage in various winter sports competitions, including the prestigious Winter Olympic Games.

The Winter Olympic programme for Milano Cortina 2026 offers a diverse range of sports that Zambian athletes could potentially pursue. These include Biathlon, Bobsleigh (which includes Skeleton), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, and various Skating disciplines such as Figure Skating, Speed Skating, and Short Track Speed Skating. The programme also features Ski Mountaineering, a new addition to the Winter Olympics, as well as several Skiing events including Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, and snowboarding.

It's worth noting that there has been a growing trend of African countries fielding athletes in winter sports competitions. This development is seen as a strategic move to increase the potential for medals at major international competitions. By diversifying their participation across both summer and winter sports, African nations like Zambia can broaden their opportunities for success on the global sporting stage. This approach not only enhances the country's sporting profile but also provides more avenues for talented athletes to showcase their skills and represent their nation at the highest levels of competition.