Mopani pledges investment in football

By ROGERS KALERO

INTERNATIONAL Resource Holdings (IRH), the equity partner of Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has said its investment has been growing from strength to strength and will ensure that its presence on the Copperbelt is felt in various sectors including in sports disciplines like football and others
IRH Head of HSE and governance Ulrich Sibilski said sports tournaments like the IRH-MCM Challenge Cup do not only celebrate local talent, but also seeks to re-affirm the partnership of the two companies to using sport as a vehicle for social impact
Sibilski was speaking at the Nkana Golf club in Kitwe at the official handover of the proceeds from the 2025 IRH-Mopani Challenge Cup where schools, elderly and disabled groups benefitted from the proceeds from the Challenge Cup
“I must state that IRH investment has been growing from strength and will continue to support the vulnerable in communities and also sports disciplines like football and others. I must thank other companies and business institutions who supported IRH-MCM Challenge Cup
“I must also thank the players who participated in the competition, that is, the Nkana Football Club, men and women teams and the Mufulira Wanderers Football Club, men and women teams. Let me assure you, that you can count on our support,’’ Sibilski said
And MCM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Sakanya said, in its partnership with IRH, which includes matching every Kwacha raised, it amplified the collective efforts to make a significant difference
“’In addition to this, am pleased to announce that MCM is rewarding the two men’s football teams for finishing in the top ten in 2024/MTN Super league. Nkana, who finished third will receive K200,000, while Mufulira Wanderers who finished eighth position will receive K100,000
“ This money will be shared among the players, technical staff, and everyone at the two clubs who contributed to their success. We believe this recognition will further motivate our teams to strive for excellence,’’ Sakanya said
He said MCM partnership with IRH amplified the collective efforts to make a significant difference through using the IRH-Mopani Challenge Cup for social impact and reaching out to the vulnerable in communities