Zambian multimedia production company Diamond TV has unveiled the list of nominees for the Male and Female Sports Personality of the Year awards for their annual ceremony.
A plethora of Zambian athletes have left an indelible mark on the sporting scene, recently showing off their prowess and charisma across multiple disciplines.
Track and field athlete Muzala Samukonga is the current holder of the Diamond TV Male Sports Personality of the Year award, having won it last year. And unsurprisingly, for the women’s award, it’s national team captain Barbra Banda who is defending the accolade.
Bolanews reveals the list of male and female athletes battling it out for the Diamond TV Sports Personality of the Year awards.
MALE SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Patson Daka (footballer)
It was the Zambian striker who topped the scoring charts in Group H of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers with five goals to his name. Daka will be hoping to lead the Chipolopolo to another AFCON title and FIFA World Cup qualification.
Muzala Samukonga (track and field athlete)
Samukonga will be looking forward to winning the accolade for the second year in succession. The 400-meter sprinter made history last year after securing a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Fashion Sakala (footballer)
With 12 league goals last season, Sakala was the highest-scoring male Zambian footballer in Europe last season. The wing-wizard hasn’t slowed down since his lucrative move to Saudi Arabia either, scoring four times and setting up a goal in eight league appearances for Al Fayha.
Kings Kangwa (footballer)
The Zambian playmaker has been a marvel since his move to Serbia last year. He helped propel Red Star Belgrade to the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League Group Stage. A spectacular free-kick goal for the Chipolopolo against the Comoros tops his list of iconic moments in recent times. He also scored a goal in Zambia’s famous 3-0 victory over Ivory Coast.
Patrick Chinyemba (boxer)
Chinyemba became the first Zambian to secure a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics, following his win against Ala Zidi last month. The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist will be optimistic that he can make history in the French capital next year.
FEMALE SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Barbra Banda (footballer)
Banda has left no stone unturned for the Copper Queens since missing out on the 2022 Women’s AFCON. During last month’s friendlies against Morocco, the Zambian talisman netted a mind-blowing five goals in only two matches.
Rachael Kundananji (footballer)
Since the beginning of last season, Kundananji has scored an outstanding 39 goals for the club and country. Hence, following a controversial Ballon d’Or snub, the Zambian striker will be hoping to collect this accolade. Scoring two hat-tricks last week for both country and club adds the cherry on top of the cake.
Margaret Belemu (footballer)
The right back’s consistency and quality almost make her irreplaceable on the Copper Queens team. After two humiliating 5-0 defeats to Japan and Spain, Belemu delivered a masterclass against Costa Rica to help the Copper Queens collect their first-ever World Cup win.
Jade Phiri (swimmer)
Despite being only a teenager, Jade Phiri has been a force to be reckoned with in the last year. She set a national women’s record during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 28.16 seconds.
Fans have expressed divided opinions over who should win the accolade in the two categories as voting is now open on the Diamond TV website.
