Barbara Banda Crowned Sports Personality of the Year

Zambia’s sporting excellence took centre stage at the 2024 National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) Awards Gala, where Copper Queens captain Barbra Banda and world-renowned bodybuilder Paul Mwanza emerged as this year’s Sports Personalities of the Year.

The prolific number 11 edged out strong contenders, including swimmer Mia Phiri and talented motorsport racer Leah Hygate.

24-year-old Banda certainly had a productive season. The Orlando Pride striker scored four goals for the African nation in the women's football tournament at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia, to become the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history (10).

In the 2024 National Women's Soccer League, Banda scored 13 goals for the Pride during the regular season, and the goalscoring form continued deep into the playoffs. The Zambian netted four more goals, including the winner in the championship final, helping to lift Orlando Pride to their first-ever NWSL title in late 2024.

Banda also took home the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year award in November of last year after receiving the highest number of votes from readers of the BBC Sport website. The British company’s award covers performances from September 2023 to August 2024 in top-level women's competitions.

The NSCZ Gala was attended by Elvis Nkandu, Minister of Sports, Youth, and Arts, and featured an evening filled with celebration of Zambia’s athletic excellence, youth development, and all the athletes and organisations playing a vital role in elevating Zambian sport to greater heights locally and internationally.