Macron Champions Sport for Development at Sport In Action and Wallace Group’s Twentieth Anniversary Gala in Zambia

Lusaka, Zambia – August 2025 — Macron, a global leader in sportswear, proudly partnered with the Wallace Group and Zambian NGO Sport In Action to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary Gala (TAG), reaffirming its commitment to sport as a driver of community development, education, and youth empowerment.

Held from 4–6 August in Lusaka, TAG 2025 marked two decades of impactful collaboration between eight leading UK universities and Sport In Action through the Volunteer Zambia project. Macron, the official apparel supplier for the University of St Andrews, played a pivotal role in supporting the milestone event—donating over 3,000 pieces of sportswear and making a financial contribution to strengthen grassroots sport across Zambia.

“At Macron, we believe in the transformative power of sport,” said Andrea Palilla, Country Manager for Macron. “Being part of a global effort where sport changes lives is at the heart of our mission. Supporting TAG 2025 was an opportunity to celebrate a shared journey and reaffirm our commitment to inclusive, community-driven development.”

With support from Macron Sports Hubs in Dundee, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein, the donation reached hub-site participants, coaches, and Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award recipients—underscoring Macron’s dedication to youth leadership and sport for development.

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Festivals of Sport and Development

As part of the TAG 2025 celebrations, two large-scale Sport for Development Festivals were held on 4 and 5 August, engaging over 1,100 young people from 22 hub sites across Lusaka, Kafue, Mazabuka, Choma, and Livingstone. With more than 60% female participation, the festivals combined competitive tournaments in netball, basketball, and football with life skills sessions focused on gender-based violence, equality, and social inclusion.

Thanks to Macron’s generous sponsorship, all participants received new teamwear, and winning teams were awarded medals—adding pride and celebration to a powerful demonstration of sport’s ability to unite and empower.

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TAG 2025 Highlights

• Strategic Launches: Hosted by the British High Commission, two major initiatives were unveiled:
  • World Netball Partnership Expansion: Zambia’s successful hub-site model is now being introduced to neighbouring countries, with 11 sites already active in Ivory Coast.
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Zambia: Achieving a 93% completion rate in its first cohort, the programme empowers youth through sport, service, and self-directed learning.
• Strategic Engagement: Macron representatives participated in high-level meetings with national sports federations, exploring future collaborations to enhance sport for development across the region.

The Wallace Group—comprising Cardiff Metropolitan University, Durham University, Loughborough University, Northumbria University, University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, and University of Stirling—has united over 1,000 volunteers since 2005 in a shared mission to use sport as a tool for sustainable development.

Macron’s support of TAG 2025 exemplifies its global vision for sport as a force for good. As the Wallace Group and Sport In Action look ahead to the next chapter, Macron remains a proud partner in empowering communities through sport.