The Zambian Institute of Sports (ZIS) has honoured athletics icon Samuel Matete for his professional expertise and significant experience in the field of sports in Zambia and abroad.
Matete, the Zambia Athletics Copperbelt Regional Chairperson, is currently running his athletics academy in Kitwe.
He was honoured alongside football coach Honour Janza, rugby legend Tom Chaloba, sports administrator Mwembe Kaona, Paralympian Lango Sinkamba and sports development expert Dr. Fredrick Chitangala.
“This recognition also serves to formally acknowledge your capacity to execute the roles and responsibilities designated to you within sports,” ZIS stated when bestowing the honour on Matete.
Speaking to Lusaka Times Sports, Matete said the recognition would motivate him to do more for athletics in Zambia.
“I just do this for the community without knowing that people are noticing, so to receive this award it is a big plus for me. I just do things from my heart; I just do something to pay back to the community that built me,” Matete said.
“After this recognition I am even determined to do more. I’m thriving to do the best I can to give back to the community that nurtured me,” he said.
Matete is the most successful individual sports personality in Zambia.
Matete won a gold medal at the 1991 World Championships and was twice silver medallist at the same event.
He won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Matete was three-time World Cup winner and won gold at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
Very underutilized citizen. Given our mediocre performances why doesn’t this man have more recognition than this?
Not recognized because we only recognize politicians. Why name stadiums after politicians? They only come in to sit. Athletes work in there and you want them to be disturbed by politics?