By MICHAEL MIYOBA
MINISTER of Sports Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu has called on Saudi Arabian based Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala to help develop a modern sports venue in Eastern Province where he comes from to supplement governments efforts to develop sports infrastructure in Zambia.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province minister and Minister of Agriculture Mutolo Phiri and Peter Phiri, Member of Parliament for Malambo constituency, Nkandu said government does not have enough resources to ensure that all constituencies are supported with stadiums.
Nkandu emphasized the need for Members of Parliament from across the country to tap into the Constituency Development Funds CDF for the development of Stadiums.
The Kaputa law maker was responding to Mutolo Phiri who had appealed to FIFA, FAZ and the Ministry of Sports to consider all constituencies for sports infrastructure development.
“I will be happy to come here and officiate at the launch of a multi sports facility in Malambo especially that Fashion Sakala comes from Malambo and him also he will have to be invited because he also needs to revert back and plow back from where he comes from so as you look at CDF, contact Fashion Sakala so that he can also help develop a sports facilities in Malambo because he has relatives there so definitely he should be able to assist us,” Nkandu said.
Nkandu said eastern province is key in the development of talented players who have grown to become key players in various national teams.
“When you look at our teams I think most of the players come from the eastern province. I think it has taken over from the Bemba Land because previously we use to see a lot of players from the northern province but today eastern has taken over and we congratulate you and encourage you to do more,” Nkandu said.
“We remain committed to supporting all sporting disciplines and we can only appeal to the local community to guard the facility with care. Refurbishment of facilities is expensive, so let’s use it with care,” he added.
Meanwhile Eastern Province Minister Peter Phiri who happens to be Malambo member of Parliament said the launch of David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata would spar teams in the province to bring Super League football to the province.
“The rehabilitation of the David Kaunda Stadium is a huge milestone for the province and the country at large,” Phiri said.
“We are confident that the FIFA-funded projects will spur teams in the province to bring Super League football to the province. We are grateful to FIFA and FAZ for the job well done and delivering this facility.”
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