26 May 2011
FORMER Zambia Judo Association (ZJA) president Shapa Wakung’uma has said he is greatly humbled to be bestowed with the President’s medal for meritorious achievement during yesterday’s African Freedom Day celebrations at Show Grounds.
And the ZJA has said the honours given to Wakung’uma and Father Jude Mckena, who was given the President’s Insignia of honour, were encouraging to the judo fraternity and will inspire upcoming judokas to aim high.
Wakung’uma said he was greatly humbled to receive such an honour from the highest office of the land.
He said the honour was inspiring and thanked the Zambia Police command for the support rendered to him while he was an active judoka.
The medal is designated “The Zambia Police Medal for meritorious service”, and may be awarded to any member of the Zambia Police Service for valuable services characterised by resource and devotion to duty including prolonged service marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary service.
Mckena’s medal is awarded to residents of Zambia who have rendered valuable services worthy of special recognition and to those who, by their loyal and meritorious conduct, have been exceptional benefit to the Republic of Zambia.
He said he could not have achieved the success he managed in judo if it was not for the concerted efforts from the Zambia Police and the ZJA who gave him maximum support to win the many gold, bronze an silver medals.
ZJA president Alfred Foloko said the honour by President Rupiah Banda goes on to show judo was being appreciated in Zambia because it was the first time in a long time that someone from the sport was being honoured.
Foloko said the honours will set the tone for the upcoming judokas to aim to win more medals and reach and even by-pass the standards set by Wakung’uma in the process bringing honour to Zambia.
“Judo is not just about winning medals but also how a person behaves in society, what discipline that person exhibits in society and that how you see Father Jude being honoured. We also encourage our members to behave responsibly in society despite them having the skill,” he said.
Judokas will be inspired to aim high so that they can continue getting awards and expressed happiness that judo was the only sport that had its sportsmen honoured.
AllAfrica – All the Time