Sports in Action (SIA) has marked its 20th Anniversary in partnership with The Wallace Group, celebrating two decades of collaboration between the UK and Zambia that has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people and strengthened Zambia’s sporting landscape.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia was proud to be an active partner in these celebrations, with Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, taking part in events in Livingstone, Choma, and Lusaka. This was not only an opportunity to celebrate the incredible achievements of this partnership, but also to see first-hand how SIA’s young people are thriving within the Award programme and the lasting impact it has had on their lives.
A Celebration Across Communities
The festivities began in Choma, where sporting activities, cultural exchanges, and youth engagement sessions brought communities together. Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, in his role as Secretary General of the Foundation, met Award participants, learning about their journeys, the skills they’ve developed, and how their involvement in both SIA and the Award has shaped their personal growth.
In Lusaka, the celebrations opened with an opening ceremony at the Southern Sun Hotel. The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries including the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Arts, Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, who congratulated Sports in Action on this historic milestone and commended the lasting partnerships that have driven its success.
The energy and passion continued at the Olympafrica Centre, with spirited tournaments showcasing the talent and determination of Zambia’s youth. Here, the Award team, led by Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, connected with participants, reinforcing how sport and the Award’s framework of skills, service, and adventure combine to develop confident, resilient young people.
Graduations at the British High Commission
The celebrations reached a proud moment at the British High Commission Residence, where the spotlight turned to achievement. The British High Commission provided key support in hosting this event, with Acting British High Commissioner Jason Trans in attendance, underscoring their commitment to empowering young people in Zambia through sport, leadership, and development initiatives. Among the guests were Sports in Action participants who are also part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, with Silver and Bronze Award recipients graduating in a dignified and celebratory ceremony. In addition, Award Leaders were honoured for the incredible work they do mentoring and guiding young people through the Award programme.
Over the past two decades, the SIA–Wallace Group partnership has invested over 10 million kwacha in sports infrastructure and directly impacted over 17,000 young people in the last year alone. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia is proud to stand alongside SIA in this work, helping young people across the country develop the skills, resilience, and ambition to thrive.
Celebrating Past, Present, and Future
As we celebrated SIA’s milestone, we also celebrated the shared values that unite us such as commitment to youth, belief in the power of sport, and dedication to building a brighter future. The presence of Mr. Martin Houghton-Brown, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, alongside national leaders such as the Permanent Secretary, reaffirmed the Award’s ongoing commitment to supporting young Zambians and strengthening partnerships that create lasting change.
