FAZ ready to raise the bar for sports women

Wed, 08 Mar 2017 09:42:29 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA

THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is determined to raise the bar for women soccer in Zambia through material and financial support to improve the existing leagues, says FAZ president Andrew Kamanga.

In a special message to commemorate International Women’s Day today under the theme “Promoting inclusiveness in economic participation as a means of attaining sustainable development”, the FAZ chief said the soccer body respected the contribution of women in sport development.

Kamanga said FAZ will distribute equipment and jerseys to women clubs affiliated to the association.

“We believe in equality and the importance of women in the development of sports in Zambia. It is for this reason that for the first time women teams will also benefit from the equipment which includes jerseys which will be given to lower division clubs before the start of the 2017 season,” he said.

He disclosed that the association was planning to increase the number of teams competing in the top women league.

He explained that having the Copperbelt and Lusaka leagues alone was not enough because of the enormous talent still untapped. “Last year we managed to host the Super Cup between the Copperbelt and Midland league champions, it was a success. We are working on introducing other competitions to raise the standards of football.

‘‘The women have proved they can do wonders even in difficult circumstances, hence need for support from all stakeholders,” he said.

Kamanga called on parents and the community to encourage girls to compete in soccer.

Meanwhile, the Netball Association of Zambia (NAZ) president Gertrude Mukumi called on Government and the corporate world to sponsor girls and women competing at a high level.

Mukumi lamented that for a long time female sports has been side-lined in terms of financial and material support.

“It is difficulty to send a women’s team to an international competition due to sponsorship; even when they perform well they are not given bonuses. We hope Government and other stakeholders will recognise our contribution in sports,” she said.

• Catherine Phiri is the World Boxing Council bantamweight gold title holder while Kabange Mupopo rules Africa in the 400 meters race. These are just a few of the many women that have performed wonders in sports.