Sports has power to unite people-Moon

VISITING United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki Moon has observed that sport has an extra ordinary power to unite people. Ban was speaking after he jointly unveiled a plaque at Olympic Youth Development Centre with International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge to mark the commencement of construction of hostels. The UN secretary general said sport is a major unifying factor as evidenced by the way Zambia united in celebrating her maiden Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) success after the history penalty shoot-out win against Ivory Coast. “I didn’t know that Chipolopolo was going to win but I did know that sport brings people together. I also know that sport has an extra ordinary people to unite people and bring about peace and unity,” he said. Ban who reiterated his congratulations to the Chipolopolo added that sport also provides healthy and constructive lifestyles to athletes, especially young people who coincidentally are also the priority target for the UN. He commended the visionary leadership of Rogge for the construction of the OYDC in Lusaka which he hoped would impact positively on the lives of many young people as they aspire to fulfill their lifelong dreams. “Last May I met Mr Rogge in Geneva where he sold the idea of visiting Africa and Zambia in particular. I am glad to be coming at this time when you are champions of Africa, congratulations again,” he said. Earlier, Rogge said his joint state visit to Lusaka with Ban is historical as well as fundamental towards the partnership between UN and IOC regarding the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The IOC president who acknowledged the success of the Chipolopolo by saying he would have loved to sing the famous “We the champion” song but for his inability to sing, said he was happy with the success of the OYDC. He warned that the centre has now passed the stage of construction and has reached the level where citizens must avoid vandalism and instead guard jealously against it knowing it is their special gift from the IOC. Sports minister Chishimba Kambwili said it was a privilege to have two heads of powerful organizations visiting Zambia at the same time and thanked Rogge for the OYDC which is already proving to be a hit to Zambian and Southern African athletes. Kambwili said among the most famous the success stories of the centre is that fact that the Chipolopolo used it for training before the travelling for the AFCON finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea where they won gold. He called on the IOC to continue supporting activities at OYDC which, to its credit, also hosted the first ever national youth festival as a dress rehearsal for the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) Under-20 Zone Six games slated for later this year. IOC board member Patrick Chamunda said Zambia can never thank IOC more for the OYDC gift which is turning into a centre of excellence for the Southern African region as well as a marvel for the whole Africa. National Olympic Committee (NOC) president Miriam Moyo was happy that the milestone visit of Rogge and Ban has come at a time the sporting season at OYDC is opening hence the multitude of athletes from various sport disciplines in attendance. Ban and Rogge donated assorted sports equipment to four agencies UNDP, WFP, UNHCR, UN Office on Sports Development and Peace and to the ministry for onward distribution.