In the lively streets of 1980s Zambia, the rhythmic bounce of a basketball told a story of unity and hope-capturing the hearts of communities and igniting dreams of greatness for a sport with the potential to become a national treasure
.Basketball in Zambia has a rich history, tracing its roots back to the colonial era when the country was known as Northern Rhodesia under British rule. The sport underwent significant transformation after Zambia gained independence in 1964.
Efforts to establish a formal structure for basketball began before independence, with the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) officially registered in 1962. Mwembe Kaoma, who served in various roles including Secretary General within the ZBA from 1991 to 2018, noted that basketball continued to grow steadily over the decades.In 2022, the ZBA rebranded as the Zambia Basketball Federation (ZBF), marking a new chapter for the sport.
Kaoma explained that in the early years, the Zambia National Team was the sole representative in international competitions. Today, however, provincial teams must compete to earn that honor.A major milestone came in 1973 when the national team made its debut at the Pan African Games, now known as the All Africa Games.
Unfortunately, Zambia has not qualified at that level since. Another proud moment occurred in 1984 when the Zambia Railways-sponsored Kabwe Cats represented the country at the Africa Cup of Nations now known as Afrobasket held in Luanda.
In its early years, basketball thrived primarily along the rail line, with mining towns serving as hubs for league teams. Mining companies played a vital role in establishing basketball as a community sport. Many athletes were multi-talented, participating in various sports.
Notably, football legends like the late Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu and George Sikazwe also represented Zambia in basketball at the national level.Prominent teams of that era included the Kabwe Cats, Zambia Army (now Green Buffaloes), UNZA Pacers, Premium Hawks, Mufulira Original Magnets, Nchanga, and Roan Blazers.
Kaoma noted that games were mostly played on outdoor courts. The first indoor courts—Evelyn Hone College and Nkana Gymnasium in Kitwe—were vital but have since deteriorated or been repurposed. “Nkana Gym, once owned by ZCCM, is now a place of worship, while Evelyn Hone College no longer meets current standards,” he said.
In the late 1970s, indoor facilities such as the UNZA Sports Hall and Zamsure Sports Complex were introduced, though these still fall short of FIBA standards, which require a seating capacity of 3,000 to 5,000.
More recently, venues like NASDEC and the OYDC have been added to the list of usable indoor courts.John Zimba, a 68-year-old former player for the Mufulira Magnets, recalled that organized team structures began around 1979, though most courts remained outdoors.
“However, infrastructural challenges have persisted, significantly affecting grassroots basketball,” he said.
Coaches across Zambia now attribute the sport’s decline to inadequate infrastructure in schools and colleges, which limits participation. Matero Magic coach David Musonda reminisced about basketball’s peak in the 1980s when mines supported the sport, and educational institutions had functioning courts.
He lamented the decline that began around 2006, when schools started deprioritizing basketball due to failing infrastructure.
“While basketball academies exist, their costs often exclude underprivileged youth, especially in rural areas,” he added.
Musonda advocated for revitalizing grassroots basketball through free training in schools and the establishment of consistent leagues at the primary, secondary, and college levels, rather than relying solely on occasional tournaments.
Green Buffaloes Head Coach Esaya Kambidima expressed optimism for the sport’s gradual recovery but emphasized the need for financial support. “The sport has stagnated for a while, but we’re making progress. We just need more backing,” he said.
ZBF President Makazo Phiri echoed similar concerns. He explained that basketball once flourished due to robust corporate sponsorship, which has since diminished, leading to financial constraints. “Limited resources hinder our ability to implement governance strategies effectively,” he said.
Despite training programs offered by the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) and the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), a lack of funding continues to affect execution. Phiri also highlighted the poor state of infrastructure, with many courts abandoned or unusable.
“Often, there’s one basketball court for every ten football grounds. When facilities break down, no one takes responsibility,” he lamented.He stressed the need for decentralization to allow each team to have its own venue and engage more effectively with local communities.
Currently, NASDEC is the only standard basketball court in Zambia, forcing all national competition qualifiers to converge there.
Government Interventions and Ongoing ChallengesTo address these issues, on January 17, 2025, during the National Federations Governance Forum, Minister of Youth, Sport, and Art, Elvis Nkandu, announced a K30 million annual allocation from the Community Sports Development Fund.
This initiative, started in 2024, aims to refurbish training facilities and boost participation in all 116 districts across the country.“The fund is dedicated to developing sports activities within communities nationwide.
Local councils will manage these funds and decide which sports to prioritize,” Nkandu explained. While acknowledging limited government resources, he affirmed their commitment to promoting sports development.
Ministry of Education (MOE) Assistant Director for Standards, Assessment, and Evaluation, Feston M’tonga, attributed challenges in school sports to economic instability and vandalism.
“Sports require significant funding, which is currently limited. However, the government is working to improve funding for all sporting activities, including basketball,” he assured.
M’tonga emphasized that community members must take responsibility for safeguarding sports infrastructure. “When the government builds this infrastructure, communities must ensure its sustainability,” he said.
MOE Assistant Director for Secondary Education, Terry Changwe, reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to co-curricular activities. “We are engaging partners to help maintain and develop sports infrastructure in schools. This year, we plan to involve more cooperating partners to support sporting activities,” he said.
A Glimmer of Hope: The 2024/2025 Super LeagueDespite the challenges, the 2024/2025 Super League Championship has reignited excitement and hope. Fans packed the NASDEC court, with every basket sending waves of enthusiasm through the crowd.
The tournament featured high-energy performances, with the Lusaka Basket Queens facing Green Buffaloes in the Queen’s Super League, and Matero Magic going head-to-head with Green Buffaloes in the Kings Super League finals.
Though many advocates and contributors behind the scenes remain under-recognized, their dedication combined with government support and private sector collaboration is fueling a renewed optimism for basketball’s revival in Zambia.The ZBF continues to encourage private institutions to partner with the government to sustain and expand these efforts.
With the right support, the bounce of basketballs on Zambian courts could once again become a national heartbeat of unity, pride, and potentia