THE END Malaria Council has set its sights on raising K2 million through the upcoming End Malaria Bicycle Sweet Race, slated for March 28, 2026, in Lusaka’s Leopard Hill area.
With Zambia Sugar footing the sponsorship bill, the Council is rallying corporate partners and the wider business community to pedal alongside them in the fight against a disease that continues to weigh heavily on Zambia’s health sector.
At a press briefing yesterday in Lusaka, Fund and Mobilisation Chairperson Peter Cottan announced the Council’s ambitious target and underscored the importance of corporate involvement in tackling malaria.
“We support the National Malaria Elimination Programme. We are proud to announce that the upcoming End Malaria Sweet Race, sponsored by Zambia Sugar, will be on Saturday the 28th of March in Lusaka. We’ll host the End Malaria Bicycle Sweet Race, our first fundraising event of the year,” said Cottan.
Cottan stressed that the race is not just about cycling, but about creating a platform where companies can showcase their commitment to corporate social responsibility.
“This event is more than a race, it is a strategic platform for corporate partners to demonstrate leadership in corporate social responsibility. Community investment and sustainable development by partnering your organisation will not only contribute to saving lives, but also showcase its commitment to building a healthier, more productive Zambia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Communication and Advocacy Chairperson Malcom Chabala echoed the call, urging businesses to see malaria not only as a health crisis but also as an economic challenge that demands collective action.
“We therefore invite the business community because it’s not just a health problem, it’s actually a business problem. So we invite the business community to partner with us, you know, contact the End Malaria Council, the Cycling Association of Zambia, and come through and support this noble cause,” Chabala said.
He added that every contribution, whether through sponsorship or participation fees, will directly fuel the fight against malaria.
“Whatever contributions that you’re going to make, whether through sponsorship or participation fees, the proceeds are going to go to the fight against malaria,” Chabala said.
Chabala reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to complementing government efforts in eliminating malaria once and for all.
“So we, as the End Malaria Council, are very committed in supplementing government efforts through the National Malaria Elimination Centre and our own efforts to put together resources to fight the problem of malaria,” said Chabala.
By Daniel Banda
Kalemba March 3, 2026
