MULWANDA LUPIYA
Lusaka
LEGEND Samuel Matete has urged Muzala Samukonga to focus on winning this weekend’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship instead of attacking the Zambia Athletics (ZA) top brass.
On Tuesday, Samukonga, the 400 metres runner, accused the ZA executive of failing to address the welfare of runners.
In a message posted on his Facebook page, Samukonga alleged that athletes have continued to cater for their costs whenever they are representing the country at international events.
But Matete said in an interview yesterday that the timing of Samukonga’s comments is wrong considering he has an event this weekend which should be occupying his mind.
“There is an Ultimate Championships coming up this weekend in Budapest. They just had the Diamond League final last weekend. So this weekend is Ultimate Championships, which is one of the, in fact the biggest this year, away from Diamond League,” he said.
“He should be the last person to even be talking in the media when he has such a huge championship coming up this weekend. We want Muzala to stay in his lane, and Muzala knows better that he should stay in his lane. Don’t start changing lanes to jeopardise your future. My advice is, Muzala, stay in your lane. Let all these grievances be aired by officials, that is why all the officials, including myself as a coach, we are there.”
Matete won gold in 400m hurdles at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
He won silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Samukonga, a former Commonwealth Games champion, will be among several high-profile athletes that will compete in Budapest.
Busang Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana, South African Zakithi Nene, United States of America’s Jacory Patterson and Mathew Hudson-Smith of England are among runners Samukonga will race with.
Samukonga is ranked eighth globally but has struggled to replicate the form that saw him win gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games after clocking 44.66 seconds.
He has competed in ten 400m races this year, winning once and finishing in the top three on six occasions.
Last month, he finished sixth in the 400m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, after timing 45.61 seconds.
Matete said Samukonga needs proper guidance from his handlers.
