Lingashi to Open Squash Academy in Zambia

Boys’ varsity squash coach Robby Lingashi, originally from Zambia, is bringing his passion for the sport and education back to his hometown with the launch of the Lingashi Squash Academy. This initiative, set to function as an after-school program, aims to provide local children with athletic training while fostering academic growth. The academy will also provide food to the students, many of whom only have one meal in three days.

Lingashi, who grew up in Kalulushi, a town in the province of Copperbelt, known for its, you guessed it, copper mining industry, recalls an era in the ‘70s when companies heavily invested in community sports facilities. “When I was growing up, there were opportunities for kids to engage in sports after school—soccer fields, tennis courts, squash clubs, basketball courts,” he said. “But now, those companies are no longer there, and the facilities have become dormant.”

 Lingashi benefited from the corporations’ community-funded programs by playing squash in his hometown. “I had a fantastic childhood because of these opportunities,” he said. “ I want to bring that back and help the kids in my hometown,” he explained. 

Over time, he excelled in the sport, and by the time he was 14, he started representing Zambia internationally in the juniors and seniors program. Lingashi said when he was a child, his role model was Simon Gondwe, one of the first African squash players. From that inspiration, Lingashi went on to become the 60th-ranked squash player in the world, and he hopes that the students in his academy will view him as similar to current-day Gondwe.

His academy is a means of giving back to his community, which gave him his foundation. “I want them to have hope and dream,” he said. “I want them to know that they don’t have to end up in a small town. There is more of the world, and everything is connected. It’s to give them a path. And who knows what this can tap into and develop? They can go into any trade they want to do. You never know what can happen.”

The Lingashi Squash Academy, projected to open in June, will begin by selecting 10 students from each of six middle schools and three high schools, totaling 60 children in its first cohort. The program is not solely focused on squash—it integrates education, ensuring that children receive assistance with homework, reading, and other academic activities.

“We want to detect at an early age what the kids are good at—whether it’s sports, art, or science—so they can develop their talents,” Lingashi stated. “Not everyone will be great at math or squash, but every child deserves an opportunity to pursue what excites them.”

Lingashi has personally funded the project, investing in 150 squash rackets, 40 desks and chairs, and various school supplies. Over the past five years, he has worked diligently to gather resources, using his own earnings to build a foundation for the academy.

The academy will utilize and lease the existing squash courts in Lingashi’s hometown. These courts were initially built by corporate investors in the 1970s but have since fallen into disrepair. He plans to lease and refurbish these facilities, ensuring they are usable for training and competition. 

His brother, a fellow squash enthusiast, will serve as the academy’s director, overseeing daily operations in Zambia while Lingashi continues his coaching career abroad. He will also hire local coaches and establish a committee to maintain and grow the program. The Squash Association of Zambia and the National Sport of Zambia, which the government runs, have also contacted Lingashi about this venture to ensure its success.

Lingashi’s return to Zambia coincides with a historic moment for squash: squash will be included in the Olympics for the first time in 2028. 

“The government does support sports, but they need to see the program’s seriousness first,” Lingashi explained. “Soccer dominates Zambia’s sports culture, but once people see the impact of squash, I believe support will grow.”

With 60% of Zambia’s population being relatively young (ages 18-35) and the country experiencing economic growth due to increasing foreign investment in mining and technology, Lingashi sees this as the perfect time to launch his academy.

“Kids in Zambia don’t always have the privileges that kids in wealthier countries do,” he noted. “For many, a program like this means more than just playing squash—it’s about getting a meal, gaining an education, and finding hope for a better future.”

Although the academy will start small, Lingashi is optimistic about its future growth. He hopes that donors and sponsors will step in to provide additional support once the program gains traction. In the meantime, he is in the process of establishing a non-profit organization to facilitate funding.

“There’s a lot of potential in Zambia, but you have to tap into that,” he said. “If you put up the right channels, it’s amazing what kids can do. It’s my belief that you can be anything/ It’s just that you need a little bit of push.”