The Zambia National Handball Team (U-20) was invited to Japan in order to learn about both the techniques and tactics of handball in Japan, with the aim of helping contribute to the development of handball competition in Zambia. Through this handball exchange, and by deepening the mutual understanding between Japan and Zambia, one further aim of this project was to increase opportunities for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Taking advantage of the decision made for Tokyo to host the Olympic Games in 2020, and with the aim of popularising the sport, December 2013 saw Zambia play Japan in a friendly game of handball in the Zambian capital of Lusaka. At this time, the Handball Association of Zambia began this invitation programme as an initiative to support the goal of Zambia appearing at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.