*Zambian Athletics Legend Samuel Matete Announces Candidacy for Vice President of Zambian Athletics* Samuel Matete, a global athletics icon who made international headlines in the 1990s as one of Africa’s greatest hurdlers, has officially entered the race for Vice President of Zambian Athletics. After years of resisting calls from supporters and fans to take on a leadership role in the sport, Matete has finally decided to step into the administrative arena to drive positive change. Matete still holds the African record in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 47.10 seconds, an achievement that has stood unchallenged for 34 years. He rose to prominence competing against legendary athletes such as former world record holder Kevin Young and 400-meter hurdles tactician Edwin Moses of the United States. His crowning moment came in 1991, when he won Zambia’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, clocking 47.64 seconds. That historic race saw two national records set—one by silver medalist Winthrop Graham of Jamaica and another by bronze medalist Kriss Akabusi of the United Kingdom. Later that year, Matete further cemented his legacy by setting a new Zambian national record and African continental record at the Zurich Weltklasse meet, concluding a spectacular season. He would go on to win multiple silver medals, including one at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Currently, Matete runs the Samuel Matete Athletics Academy in Kitwe, Zambia, and is collaborating with a U.S.-based global African sports business company to launch the Samuel Matete Classics. His decision to run for Vice President of Zambian Athletics stems from a desire to revitalize the sport, which has seen years of underwhelming performance since his golden era in the 1990s. Matete's candidacy has already generated excitement among global athletics stars, many of whom have expressed their support and willingness to assist him in elevating the state of athletics in Zambia. If elected in March 2025, he aims to usher in a new era of progress, excellence, and development for Zambian athletics. By Leslie Koroma Sr. CEO ASVG #samuelmatete #zambianathletics #athleticsleadership #sportsdevelopment #trackandfield #africaathletics #olympian #sportsleadership #mateteforvp #athleticsreform