On 27 August the Baton was presented at the Cabinet Office to Vice President Dr W K Mutale Nalumango by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon Elvis Nkandu MP, through Commonwealth Games Association of Zambia President Alfred Foloko. The occasion was attended by senior government officials including Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe.

Earlier in the day, the Baton was presented to the British High Commissioner to Zambia, Rebecca Terzeon, at her residence before being taken to the Cabinet Office. The Vice President praised the design of the Baton, which was decorated by Lusaka based artist Samuel Mwambazi to highlight Zambia’s culture and national tourist attractions.

Each nation and territory is given a Baton to customise for Glasgow 2026, with Mwambazi’s artwork showcasing landmarks such as Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and Zambia’s wildlife. She also sent her best wishes to the Zambian athletes preparing for Glasgow 2026.

The Baton was carried by batonbearers representing different sports and generations. They included Vancouver 1994 400m hurdles gold medallist Samuel Matete, Birmingham 2022 boxing bronze medallist Patrick Chinyemba, boxer Margret Tembo who also competed at Birmingham 2022, and cyclist Davies Kawemba. Chinyemba also carried the Baton during the Cabinet Office programme, symbolising the link between past and present athletes.

Public participation was at the heart of the programme. More than 250 people were involved in the celebrations, with over 100 young people taking part in sports and cultural activities at the OYDC Zambia Sports Development Centre.

Events were held in Lusaka and Kafue Township, with a community finale at the Olympafrica Centre on 29 August. Traditional dance and drumming added to the festival atmosphere. These activities brought together communities to celebrate the Relay and inspire the next generation of athletes.

The Zambia leg also included an environmental initiative with a clean-up along the banks of the Kafue River. Schools, community groups and environmental organisations joined forces to remove plastic waste and promote awareness of sustainability and conservation. More than 180 kilograms of plastic was collected during the activity, with schools, athletes and community members working alongside partners such as British Council Zambia.

The Baton’s six-day journey concluded on 30 August, leaving behind memories of unity and celebration. Zambia’s Relay came after Malawi and continued on to Mozambique, linking local action with the wider international journey that began at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, 10 March 2025.