By MICHAEL MIYOBA
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says member associations will benefit greatly from the US$134 million budget he presented as vice president of the CAF Finance Committee during the 13th CAF Extraordinary Congress in Cairo, Egypt.
Kamanga said he was privileged to present the CAF budget which will ensure the increase in development projects fund.
Meanwhile, Kamanga confirmed that CAF has unanimously backed the global debate of a biennial FIFA World Cup
The CAF Congress also proposed a Pan-African Super League that will be moulded in the lines of the well-known UEFA Champions League.
“A presentation was made on the material benefits of a Pan-African Super League in developing African football. The member associations unanimously backed the proposal for an establishment of a Pan-African Super League
“Members also discussed several matters relating to the development of football. There were also a number of presentations from various experts including Arsene Wenger, the FIFA Chief of Global Football Development,” Kamanga said.
Kamanga said FIFA and CAF signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pioneer a new era in the advancement of professional refereeing in Africa.
He said the MoU was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President, Patrice Motsepe.
Kamanga said the Refereeing “Star Project,” aims to produce world class referees from the African continent and also contribute towards the development of referees in the 54 CAF member associations.
“Refereeing is a matter that is close to Zambian hearts with some of our whistle-men flying our flag high. Back home, we just concluded training for junior referees trained by FIFA instructors. This is tied to our 10-year strategic plan that seeks to change the face of our game,” Kamanga said.
He noted that FAZ was happy to have concluded a five-day training for 30 teachers drawn from all the provinces drilled by FIFA as part of the implementation of the grassroots schools’ programme.
Kamanga noted that it is only through sustained investment in youth and development structures that FAZ will grow the Zambian game.
