08/06/2026
Olympafrica Youth Empowerment Through Sport Programme wraps up with a grand finale in Lusaka
On 6 June 2026, the Olympafrica Centre Zambia hosted the grand finale of the Youth Empowerment Through Sport (O!YES) Programme. Hundreds of young people came together to celebrate how sport can make a difference in their lives.
The O!YES Programme is an annual initiative that runs for six months and aims to empower young people through sport while promoting education, leadership, life skills, and positive values.
National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Board Member and Chairperson of the National Olympic Academy (NOA), Mwape Zulu, emphasised the importance of young athletes embracing Olympic values both on and off the field of play.
Zulu encouraged participants to uphold the values of excellence, friendship, and respect in their daily lives, noting that sport provides an important platform for personal growth, discipline, and social development.
The programme attracted more than 400 children from various schools and communities, including learners from Lubulo Private School and Special Olympics Zambia, who actively participated in the event’s activities.
The grand finale featured a range of sporting and recreational activities, including dancing, skateboarding, and cycling, creating an engaging and inclusive environment for all participants.
The celebrations concluded with an awards ceremony where trophies and medals were presented to teams that finished first, second, and third in the seven-day O!YES tournament, recognising their outstanding performances and sportsmanship.
The O!YES Programme continues to serve as a beacon of hope for young people, using sport as a powerful tool for empowerment, education, and character development while fostering positive social values across communities.
