The Festival has been held annually since 2017, and NOCZ President Alfred Foloko credited it with providing opportunities and making sport safe and inclusive for all.

Kids athletics, netball, judo, football, fun games and a positive lifestyles education session workshop all featured at this year's festival.

As well as Zambia's capital Lusaka, participants from Livingstone, Nampundwe, Maheba Refugee Camp in Solwezi and Mayukwayukwa Refugee Camp in Kaoma were present at the event at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Foloko's remarks were delivered on his behalf by NOCZ secretary general Boniface Kambikambi, with the President thanking the Zambian Government for its efforts to promote inclusivity and the NIF for its support of the event.

He told participants: "This is a great opportunity for you all to play sport full of fun, enjoy, interact, showcase your sporting talents and learn vital life skills."

Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities director general Agatha Banda added: "I would like to encourage everyone to be part of this cause in giving hope to the children who are differently abled that they also can do it."

Several of Zambia's National Federations, including for athletics, judo and netball, collaborated with the NOCZ to run the event.

More than 3,000 children have taken part in the festival since its first edition.

Zambia has won one silver and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games, but has not had an athlete on the podium since Atlanta 1996.