Zambia: Zambia Air Force Command has recognized and honoured two champions from the Red Arrows Cycling Club for their contribution to the nation and club through sports.
In a speech read on his behalf by Vice Chief of Training, Col Mweenda Liyungu, ZAF Chief of Training Brigadier Gen Kamima Nyirenda recognized and honoured the great milestone the two cyclists, Vanessa Matende and Obert Chembe have achieved.
The Chief of Training presented professional cycling bikes to the duo to put Zambia and the Red Arrows brand on the world map.
“We are celebrating a girl child who broke societal barriers and excelled with distinction at her level. Her name is Vanessa Matende, 16 years 16-year-old young cyclist of Red Arrows Cycling Club. She recently made history and remains the first-ever female cyclist to represent Zambia at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in August this year,” said Brig Gen Nyirenda.
Furthermore, he asserted, “We also recognize Obert Chembe, whose many accolades under Red Arrows are a source of Air Force pride. Obert is the 2023 elite men’s national champion and the current champion for the Tour de Mikango.”
Gen Nyirenda said ZAF Command recognizes the talent of all young sportsmen and women under its clubs and that through sports, they have gained excellence in their careers and education.
He echoed the Republican President’s guidance during the President’s charity golf tournament, where he stated that there was a need to nurture sportsmen and women when they were young. He said the guidance comes at the right time when ZAF has such super young talents that deserve nurturing.
He added that as sponsors of Red Arrows Sports Clubs, ZAF aligned itself with the best, and Vanesa and Obert were just examples that had not only made themselves names through their hard work but made Red Arrows a brand of choice in the country.
He asked Vanessa and Obert to continue working hard and remain disciplined in order even to achieve more greatness.
“Champions are seen in their consistence, and we can assure you of our support to make your dreams a reality. We wish you all the best in your careers even as you take the country and Red Arrows to glory in other bigger and greater domestic and international competitions,” said Gen Nyirenda.
Besides her record-breaking in the Commonwealth Youth Games, Vanesa is the 2023 Zambia national road race elite women’s champion. As for Obert, he is the 2019 elite men’s national champion and also boasts of winning the 2021 and 2022 mine-to-mine competitions.
He has experience having competed on the global stage, having represented Zambia at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mark Cavendish, one of the cycling sprinters of all time.
The duo joined the Red Arrows Cycling Club a few months after its formation two years ago. Since its inception, the Cycling Club has recorded a huge success and offered a competitive platform for vulnerable youths across communities as a source of advancing their careers and livelihood.