By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga says former Zanaco and Nkana FC defender Aaron Katebe who features for Real Kashmir FC in India is safe.
Kapijimpanga said Katebe, who was reportedly stuck in Indian due to the lockdown implemented by the Indian government, is staying in Real Kashmir co-owner, Sandeep Chattoo’s hotel in Srinagar until the lockdown ends on April 14.
In a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission Bangwe Naviley, Kapijimpanga said Katebe is expected back in Zambia immediately after the countrywide travel restrictions are revoked in India due to the Coronavirus global pandemic.
She said Katebe and his team mates from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal and the United Kingdom are in high spirits and are expected to leave India after the lockdown because the league has been called off.
Kapijimpanga confirmed that the owner of the club is staying with the players in the same hotel to ensure they were comfortable.
Katebe, his coach David Robertson, skipper Loveday Enyinnaya, Bazie Armand and Gnohere Krizo are among those reportedly stuck in India.
In an interview with the BBC, Katebe, who is home sick said he is always left emotional every time he speaks to family members at home because they want him to return safely.
“When I finish talking to mom, she always say come back today, come back today which leaves me emotional.
“We are always together with my team mates having lunch together telling stories, we are always together like a family,” Katebe told the BBC.
Chattoo said he is figuring out how to get the players and the coaches from Srinagar to New Delhi amid the lockdown.
India is on a 21-day lockdown as the government announced curfews to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus which has brought normal lives to a grinding halt.
‘Stuck’ Katebe safe in India
