By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FORMER Chipolopolo striker Collins Mbesuma has called for more partnerships ahead of the Copperbelt Youth Football Tournament to be held in Luanshya to mark one year of the Collins Mbesuma Foundation.
In an interview on arrival from South Africa ahead of the tournament to run from June 26 and 27 in Luanshya, Mbesuma said he cannot manage alone to change the lives of talented youths.
He said there is need for the corporate world, fellow players and the football association to partner with the Collins Mbesuma Foundation with an aim to give young people the opportunity to develop their talents.
He said the Copperbelt Youth Football Tournament would grow into a bigger event with support from the corporate world.
“We are just starting and I need support from other people as you know I can’t do it alone so I want this tournament to be held every year but at the same time I need support from other people such as fellow soccer players, those with academies and the Football Association of Zambia because the dream I have is very big, I can’t do it alone,” Mbesuma said.
Mbesuma said the Copperbelt Youth Football Tournament will contribute to the growth of Zambian football at grass roots level.
Mbesuma said he was looking forward to giving the talented youths in Luanshya the opportunity to develop their talents.
“It is a dream come true to go back where I came from and I’m very happy to start this journey.
“I want to give the opportunity to the young ones. I started as a young one playing under 14 until I moved to Roan United and I travelled all over the world and now I want to give back to the youngones not just in Luanshya but across Zambia,” he said.
Mbesuma hailed tournament organiser, Charity Muntahali for being professional and making sure that the project makes positive strides.
The 2012 AFCON winner will on Thursday launch the tournament which has attracted youths teams from Nkana, Napsa Stars, Zesco United and Ronald Kampamba’s academy Sate Sate Academy.
