Minister Announces Youth Resource Centres for all Districts

Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts Elvis Nkandu has announced that Government will ensure there are youth resource centres present in all 116 districts of the country in a bid to improve youth welfare. Currently only 23 districts have such facilities.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics concluded, the Minister yesterday announced that Government has disbursed K17 million to local authorities to develop sports at grassroots level, which is part of the K30 million allocation for sports development this year.

He further stated that 700 youth-led organisations have been successfully registered and funded under various government initiatives.

Speaking of the importance of leadership such as that provided by President Hakainde Hichilema in ensuring young people can access opportunities, Nkandu revealed that President Hichilema has pledged to personally sponsor 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga’s training in the USA. Samukonga is the third Zambian to win a medal at the Olympics and also holds the title of Commonwealth Games champion

The Minister stresses the importance of harnessing potential of country’s youth as a positive force in the transformation of the country, stating ““The Government of the Republic of Zambia under the New Dawn administration is cognisant of the critical role that youth play in the social and economic development of the country. The government further acknowledges that the youth constitute a significant percentage of the population, with 26.7 percent aged between 19 to 34.”

He concluded by stating that, “Our ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development and creating opportunities for Zambia’s young people and creative sector.”