PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to swap excuses for exercise, saying national development will not happen if citizens are too sick or too tired to build it.
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In a speech read on his behalf by Youth, Sports and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu at the 25th Inter-Company Relay held at Polo Field B in Lusaka, the Head of State went full fitness mode, reminding the public that running is not just a sport, but a life-saving habit.
With hundreds of company employees and athletes geared up for the relay under the theme “Rebuilding Through Sport – Together, We Can Achieve More”, President Hichilema said sport was a powerful and often ignored medicine that can boost productivity, mental wellness, and reduce the healthcare burden on families.
“A healthy nation is a prosperous nation, and by investing in sport, we are investing in public health, social stability, and long-term economic growth,” President Hichilema said.
The President noted that beyond medals and muscle, sport has the power to heal, managing blood pressure and fighting depression that quietly slow down the country’s workforce.
Bally also hailed the Inter-Company Relay as more than just a competition but a national health campaign cleverly disguised as fun as it brings together professionals and support staff in running shoes instead of boardroom suits to unite by the need to live longer, and healthier lives.
And with Zambia’s health facilities often under pressure, the President said preventive health through sport was not just wise but necessary.
By George Musonda
Kalemba July 12, 2025
