Lungu hails U-20

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:27:06 +0000

By Bennie Mundado

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has congratulated the Zambia Under-20 team for their extraordinary victory in the 2016 Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) last week.

And President has hailed the impressive performance exhibited by the Zambian athletes who minted 16 medals at the just-ended 7th edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 tournament in Angola.

According to his special assistant for press and public relations Amos Chanda, President Lungu has expressed happiness that the Under-20 team lifting the COSAFA Cup for the 11th time against a spirited South African side at its own backyard.

He commended the players and the technical bench for the job well done and hoped that the team will continue to exhibit exceptional performances in future tournaments such as the forth-coming U-20 African Youth championship to be hosted by Zambia next year.

He has pledged unwavering support to the team but challenged the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to ensure that the team is nurtured into the future senior national team.

He said government, in its effort to promote football in the country, will equally ensure that other sports disciplines were promoted.

“As patron of FAZ, I wish to congratulate FAZ President Andrew Kamanga and his entire executive for putting together necessary arrangements that led to this successful outcome. I wish to assure that my Government will support the development of football and other sports disciplines in the country,” President Lungu said.

And the President is also happy for the impressive performance exhibited by the Zambian athletes who participated in the just ended 7th edition of the (AUSC) Region 5 games in Angola.

He commended the Zambian athletes in boxing, judo, and football for minting 16 medals saying they have made the nation proud by putting up such exceptional performances.

The President noted that with such good performances, the outlook for sports in Zambia had been transformed and was hopeful that sports administrators will not relent but do everything possible to maintain the record and deliver even better results in future.

He has also hailed the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council of Zambia for working tirelessly to ensure Zambia’s participation in the games.