Zambian delegation chief Caphas Sanga said on Monday that he expected their boxers to win a medal in the Olympic Games.

"We have sent our three best boxers to compete in the upcoming Beijing Games. I hope they can at least win a medal for our country," Sanga said after a flag-raising ceremony at the Athletes' Village.

"Hastings Bwalya of men's lightwelter (64kg) is most likely to win the medal. He is African champion in 2007," he added.

With boxing as one of the country's most prominent sports, it was not surprising that Zambia's first Olympic medal came from the ring.

Light flyweight Keith Mwila ended Zambia's long-time wait when he earned a bronze medal at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

Twelve years later, again in the United States at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, 400m hurdler Samuel Matete settled for a silver, which remains Zambia's last Olympic medal up to now.

The Zambian delegation consists of eight athletes, including three boxers, two swimmers, two track athletes and one badminton player.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)