British High Commissioner Joins as Deputy Patron of DofE Award, Strengthening SIA’s Youth Development Partnerships

Sport In Action is proud to celebrate a major milestone for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia, following the appointment of British High Commissioner Her Excellency Rebecca Terzeon as Deputy Chief Patron. The announcement, made in Lusaka on 16 June 2026, reinforces a partnership model SIA knows well: that meaningful change for young people happens when government, international partners, and grassroots organizations work together.

As one of the youth-focused partners showcased at the announcement alongside the Volunteer Zambia group from UK universities, SIA’s collaboration with the DofE Award reflects a shared commitment to giving young Zambians the tools to shape their own futures.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has operated in Zambia since 1991 and now reaches over 1,800 young people annually through 86 Award Centres nationwide. Globally, the Award supports young people aged 14 to 24 in building resilience, leadership, and life skills through hands-on, self-guided experiences rather than classroom instruction.

Speaking on behalf of SIA at the event, Executive Director Frankson Mushindu highlighted the alignment between SIA’s mission and the Award’s goals, noting that sport is more than play. Mushindu pointed to SIA’s Girls in Action programme, which creates safe spaces for girls and young women to build leadership and confidence, and the organization’s Enterprise programmes, which equip young people with entrepreneurship skills and pathways to economic independence.

National Director of DofE Zambia, Twaambo Chikoye, described the High Commissioner’s appointment as a strong endorsement of youth development work in the country, and specifically credited collaborations with organizations like SIA for helping extend the Award’s reach into underserved communities.

For her part, High Commissioner Terzeon spoke personally about the impact the Award had on her own life growing up in the UK, crediting it with shaping her confidence, teamwork, and even her career path. She emphasized the British High Commission’s commitment to amplifying the Award’s visibility and strengthening the UK-Zambia relationship through youth development.

The appointment comes with the continued backing of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, who serves as Chief Patron, alongside support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.

For SIA, the moment is a reminder of why partnerships matter. By working alongside organizations like the DofE Award, SIA continues to expand opportunities for young people across Zambia, using sport and community-based programming as a pathway to confidence, leadership, and long-term opportunity.