The Legacy of the Commonwealth Games in Zambia: A conversation

Fiona and Jenny are carrying out long-term research on the IDEALS sport and development project in Zambia. Here they share their thoughts on the potential legacy of the Games, specifically in the deprived compounds and communities in Lusaka where the IDEALS project is based.

Fiona: What do you think will be the long term social impact of the 2014 Games in Lusaka?

Jenny: Thinking about the softer legacy, the first thing that struck me was the lack of awareness of the Commonwealth Games within Zambia. People we spoke to in the schools and within community sports teams simply did not know anything about the Games. There was no talk or promotional material around, so folk in everyday Lusaka did not seem to be aware of it. This contrasted sharply with the extensive coverage of the (men's football) World Cup, which was on every TV screen and radio show and the general topic of everyday conversation.

Fiona: In the communities IDEALS works with, was there excitement amongst the young people participating in sports included in the Games, for example netball?

Jenny: Netball is a very important sport in Africa - and community involvement in a team sport forms a critical part of the aim of empowerment of individuals through increasing self-esteem and respect in order to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The UK students who volunteer in Zambia through the IDEALS project bring skills in a number of team sports.

Fiona: Zambia won bronze medals - in judo and boxing - do you think that knowing their athletes can be successful might result in Zambians feeling a renewed "confidence and swagger" through pride in their achievements? This certainly has been mentioned in relation to a social legacy in Scotland as the host nation.

Jenny: We will have to wait to see what impact the medals have - especially in those particular sports.

Fiona: Do mega events like the Commonwealth Games have a serious role to play in social development?

Jenny: In Zambia the Commonwealth Games seems not to be relevant, however other mega events are more important, for instance, the FIFA World Cup despite the fact Zambia did not qualify this time. Smaller scale major events such as the Africa Cup of Nations do have an impact, particularly on national pride. The 2012 Africa Cup was won by Zambia and was cause for national celebration.

Jenny: How do you think mega events could be better used to promote social development?

Fiona: The increased medal opportunities for women and the incorporation of five para sport events in the 2014 Commonwealth Games presented a fantastic opportunity for social development through role models in the media and within different Commonwealth countries. IDEALS works in conjunction with Zambian volunteer peer leaders to offer real-life face-to-face contact with inspiring coaches. We have heard many individual stories of a positive legacy from this experience. Maybe this actual contact is where social development takes place?

Jenny Tattersall is Sports Participation Officer at University of Stirling (), Fiona Reid is lecturer in Events and Sports Management at Glasgow Caledonian University ([email protected]).

• Visit the UK Sport website for more information about the IDEALS project in Zambia

[This article was edited by the Operating Team]