A total of 31 athletes attended the forum at OYDC-Zambia Sports Development Centre as plans for improved engagement between the NOC and its athletes were addressed.

NOCZ President Alfred Foloko claimed the strategic plan for 2018 to 2021 was just one benefit of staging the Forum.

"This Forum is just one of many positive outcomes as a result of our strategic plan for 2018-2021," said Foloko.

He explained he hoped all athletes present at the Forum would take the knowledge gathered to to explore opportunities and engage with their respective National Federations.

Jonathan Chipalo represented Zambia at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul as a 400 metres runner and he spoke at the Forum about the development of key projects in the African country.

He encouraged athletes to take centre stage and engage in various activities that will prepare them for life after active sports.

Chipalo said that through the Athletes’ Commission athletes should be privileged to be assisted with various projects and programmes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through Olympic Solidarity and NOCZ.

Secretary general Boniface Kambikambi revealed NOCZ was aiming to secure funds from Olympic Solidarity that will cater for Zambia Athletes’ Commission activities programmes and activities for 2020.

Educative and informative sessions at the Forum included an introduction to the Athlete365 platform, anti-doping and game manipulation as athletes had the opportunity to sign up for the Athlete365 Online platform.

Athlete365 is an IOC initiative created by athletes to support their journey in sport on and off the field.

The Forum was facilitated and organised by the Athletes Commission executive led by chair, sprinter Suwilanji Mpondela, with assistance from NOCZ.