19/06/2026
Zambia Cricket Union Hosts ICC CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Week at Olympafrica Centre
The Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) has hosted the ICC CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Week at the Olympafrica Centre in Lusaka as part of efforts to reintroduce cricket in schools and promote greater participation of girls in the sport.
The event brought together pupils from ten schools: Lubuto Primary School, Chipata Day Secondary School, Justin Kabwe School, Legacy Primary School, New Mandevu School, Mtendere Primary School, Chawama Primary School, Chimwemwe Primary School, Lotus Primary School, and Mkandawire Secondary School.
Speaking during the event , Olympafrica Centre Director, Tinyiko Kamanga, welcomed the initiative and commended the Zambia Cricket Union for using sport as a platform to empower young people.
Kamanga noted that the programme aligns with the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, which are central to the Olympafrica movement. He encouraged the pupils to actively participate in the activities, enjoy the sport, and embrace the values that promote personal growth and positive citizenship.
Meanwhile, CRIIIO Coordinator at the Zambia Cricket Union, Isaac Mwaba, said the programme was significant as it coincides with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s Cricket Week, a global initiative aimed at increasing female participation in cricket.
Mwaba explained that involving schools was a deliberate strategy to build a strong foundation for the development of women’s cricket in Zambia.
“We decided to include schools because they are the foundation for talent development. If we want to grow women’s cricket, we must start by creating opportunities for young girls to learn and play the sport from an early age,” he said.
He added that the programme seeks to introduce more girls to cricket, nurture their interest in the game, and create pathways for future participation at higher levels of competition.
The ICC CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Week forms part of ongoing efforts by the Zambia Cricket Union and its partners to expand access to cricket and promote gender inclusion in sport across the country.