Elisha Zimba came home with Zambia’s first-ever judo medal from the Youth Olympic Games. What he did not come home with is a guarantee that the next Elisha Zimba will be found, funded and nurtured. That was the blunt message as the Dakar 2026 bronze medallist in the men’s -55kg…

Elisha Zimba came home with Zambia’s first-ever judo medal from the Youth Olympic Games. What he did not come home with is a guarantee that the next Elisha Zimba will be found, funded and nurtured.

That was the blunt message as the Dakar 2026 bronze medallist in the men’s -55kg judo category touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Thursday to a thunderous welcome.

Receiving him were National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Board Member Mwape Zulu, National Sports Council of Zambia Chief Executive Officer Sombwa Musunsa, Acting OYDC Zambia Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Tembo, and Judo Association of Zambia General Secretary Mabvuto Ng’uni, among others.

Speaking on behalf of NOCZ President Alfred Foloko, Mr Zulu congratulated Zimba for making the nation proud, but turned the celebration into a challenge to the corporate world.

Invest in young talent now, he said, do not wait until they win medals to celebrate them.

Foloko noted that sustained investment would create opportunities for more Zambians to compete at major international events and return home with medals. Athletes, he emphasised, require support throughout their development journey, because considerable resources go into preparing them to compete at the highest level.

It is a point Judo Association of Zambia General Secretary Mabvuto Ng’uni underlined when he described Zimba’s bronze as record-breaking – the first time Zambia has won a judo medal at the Youth Olympic Games.

NOCZ Athletes Commission Chairperson Esther Siamfuko said her commission had rallied behind all Team Zambia athletes throughout the Games and was delighted to see Zimba return with bronze, describing it as an encouraging moment for Zambian sport and its young athletes.

National Sports Council CEO Sombwa Musunsa said Government was elated with Zimba’s achievement and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting young talents such as Zimba to develop into world-class athletes capable of representing Zambia at senior international competitions.

For now, Zimba’s bronze stands as both a triumph and a test: proof of what Zambian youth can do with limited support, and a question to corporate Zambia about what they could do with real backing.

Meanwhile, Team Zambia swimmer Sibongile Miti closed her Dakar 2026 campaign on Thursday, cheered on by her teammates.

Miti clocked 33.57 seconds in the women’s 50m backstroke Heat 2, before returning for the women’s 50m breaststroke Heat 4, where she recorded 35.56 seconds.

Team Zambia swimming Coach Ian Stephenson praised his swimmers for national records, personal bests and encouraging finishes.

“All in all, you can attest that they’re giving everything they’ve got and making Mother Zambia very proud,” he said.

Stephenson thanked NOCZ, particularly President Foloko and his team, for the support throughout the Games.

Attention now turns to Mulenga Cole, who will be Team Zambia’s final swimming competitor when he takes to the pool on Friday.

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