By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GOVERNMENT would revise the winning bonuses for the Chipolopolo players who pocket US$3, 500 as winning allowances per game, says Sports, Youth and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu.
Nkandu said the players will have to be motivated to achieve the objective of qualifying for the Africa Cup after missing the last three editions of the continental championships.
He said the government, which is also committed to increasing the salary of the team’s coach will do everything possible to ensure that the Chipolopolo qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
He said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the Ministry of Sports is about to sign with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will ensure that the players are motivated with revised winning bonuses and allowances.
Nkandu said it is within the national sports policy and the new dawn administration to support sport as a sector that has huge potential to empower the youth not only socially but most importantly economically.
“The desire of this new dawn government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema is to make Zambia a power house and global leader in the use of sport as a tool for sustainable development,” Nkandu said.
“It is from such a background, and an endeavour to ensure that the country through the Zambia national football team qualifies to the 2023 Ivory Coast AFCON, that the ministry has been doing everything possible to support FAZ qualify the team. This is after missing from the African biggest football showpiece for three consecutive times,” he said.
Meanwhile Zambia Sports Fans Association Patron Peter Makembo has commended the Chipolopolo boys for fighting back to beat Comoros 2-1 on Tuesday night.
He also condemned the behaviour of some fans who stormed the pitch to celebrate the victory in a bizarre way.
Makembo said the behaviour was unnecessary as it can earn the country a fine from FIFA.
MORE CASH FOR CHIPOLOPOLO
