KCM-ZFA Cup launched

By BENEDICT TEMBO 

THE much anticipated Zambia Football Association Cup competitions for men and women finally came to life in Chingola yesterday with sponsors Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) committing a whooping US$1.6 million towards supporting football in the country.

At the launch of the KCM-ZFA Cup in Chingola yesterday, KCM Plc Deputy Chief Executive Officer Satish Kumar said the company was proud to be part of Zambia’s development journey.

He said the company had operations in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Shibuyunji and was committed to growing mining operations as well as making meaningful contributions in comnunuties they operated in.

While ramping up production to support government’s ambitious three million tonnes of copper production target, KCM believed that growth in business must grow hand in hand with social economic development in Zambian communities.

“We are particularly delighted about our partnership with the Football Association of Zambia,which positions KCM as a major supporter of football developnent  in the country.

“Through this partnership, KCM has committed US$1.6 million this year towards supporting Zambian football. This includes supporting our senior national teams, the Copper Queens, the Chipolopolo, alongside broader efforts to strengthen the development of footbalk at all levels,” Kumar said.

Building of a strong football nation can not begin and end with senior national teams.

It must start at grassroot,  where young and emerging talent is identified, nurtured and give a chance to develop.

“It is against this background that we are proud to officially launch the KCM-ZFA Cup. This competition represents a significant investment in grassroot football andbis designed to provide a competetive platform for emerging talent accross the country.

“The insugural 2026 edition together 32 teams competing accross 31 matches in five rounds, culminating in the growing of the first ever KCM-ZFA Cup champions. Beyond the competition itself, our vision is much bigger. We want this tournament to become a pathway through which talented young footballers can show case their abilities, gain valuable competetive and access opportunities to progress in their football careers,” Kumar said.

While many Zambian future stars were playing in lower leagues and community divisions, what they needed was a platform and right support to realise their full potential.

“Through the KCM-ZFA Cup, we want to create that opportunity,” he said.

KCM, through its holding company Vedanta has had a long standing history of supporting  Zambian football.

Since Vedanta came to Zambia in 2004, KCM has been playing a big role in strengthening domestic football structurescin Zambia.

In 2012, KCM demonstrated its commitment by supporting the  national team’s technical prepations and camping as Zambia persued a historic Africa Cup soccer dream.

“That journey culminated in one of the proudest moments in our nation’s sporting history, when the Chipolopolo lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. These milestones demonstrated that our involvement in football is not new. Its part of our legacy that are proud to continue building.

“Today, through our partnership with FAZ and the introduction of the KCM-ZFA Cup, we are taking another important step towards strengthening the foundations of Zambian football ,” Kumar said.

He explained that KCM’s ultimate ambition was to see Zambia reclaim its position as a leading football nation.

“We want to see our local leagues become more competetive, our young players develop their full potential, and our national teams continue to make the country proud on the international stage. We recognise that achieving this vision requires colaboration among the private sector, football governing bodies, government and other stakeholders.

It is through such partnerships that we can create sustainable opportunities for our young people and contribute to the long-term development of sport in Zambia,” he said.

FAZ president Keith Mweem said the KCM-ZFA Cup will be the biggest competition in Zambia.

“The KCM–ZFA Cup”). The KCM ZFA Cup, which is my brainchild and will undoubtedly be the biggest cup competition in Zambia, introduces both the Men’s and Women’s Cups, an important milestone in the development of Zambian football.

“First, allow me to sincerely thank Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for its continued commitment to football. KCM has a long-standing relationship with FAZ, having supported the Association through the provision of vehicles, sponsorship of domestic football and, more recently, support for our senior national teams, the Chipolopolo and Copper Queens respectively,” Mweemba said.

He thanked KCM and said the competition will make Zambian football strong.

“We believe that stronger domestic competitions produce stronger clubs, better players and, ultimately, more competitive national teams.To the corporate community, we invite you to emulate KCM and become partners in the development of football. There is still room for additional sponsors to come on board,” he said.