By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Ministry of Sports, Youth and Arts says there is no tension between government and FAZ as alleged by social media reports and Government is cheering for FAZ to succeed to give Zambians the much needed results.
In an interview, Ministry of Sports Youth and Arts Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, said government supports the appointment of new Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic who has been urged to deliver according to the expectations of Zambians.
Chileshe said Zambians are eager to see the national team start winning following the appointment of the Croatian gaffer.
“There is no division or any tension between the ministry and FAZ. FAZ is a board under our ministry and ours is to work together because it is only through working together that we can achieve the needed victory.
“Our vision is very clear and our objective is very clear. That you have a government that does things professionally so we want professionalism in sports fraternity, professionalism in FAZ, professionalism with our athletes and professionalism in every sector,” Chileshe said.
“We want glory in the sports fraternity and the new dawn government is eager to ensure that sports in Zambia is used as a vehicle for youth empowerment and job creation and skills development.”
Chileshe said government is readily available to give FAZ all the tools needed to bring the much needed victory that Zambians have been craving for.
He said it is not in governments’ interest to deprive FAZ of resources because government and FAZ are interested in one thing which is to see the national team prosper.
“There will be more government support financially in terms of uplifting the standards of football and every other sport in the country,” Chileshe said.
Chileshe also noted the need to invest in grassroots sports development for Zambia to create a strong foundation.
He said creating sports facilities and infrastructure across the country is also key in identifying and nurturing talent from rural to urban areas.
“We have champions everywhere and the next champion might becoming from Shang’ombo but we don’t know.
