The Football Association of Zambia, FAZ has confirmed a ZamFoot Crew article that the association has failed to lure an international renowned kit supplier like Nike, Puma or Addidas.
In a statement released by FAZ Communications Manager Desmond Katongo, he said that the branding is ‘wholly owned by FAZ, was made in line with the objective of increased revenue generation and full control of thve value chain.’
Katongo said “the brand, named KoPa, represents the best of Zambian football and the new Zambia kit is a true reflection of all the positive attributes in the Zambian game.”
Two years ago, when Andrew Kamanga was campaigning, one of his campaign message was to get sponsors.
After the Nike deal expired mid way through Kalusha Bwalya’s second term, it was allegedly that FAZ went straight to China and came back with the ‘Zawa’ Chipolopolo Jersey.
FAZ critics including Kamanga expressed displeasure at the way FAZ just added a Nike logo to the ‘Zawa’ Jersey.
It seems like Kamanga has done what Kalusha allegedly did with the ‘KoPa’ bands or ‘X’ replacing ‘Nike’ logo on the Jersey.
Below is a full statement from FAZ
FAZ to unveil KoPa Jersey at 2018 CHAN
Following the Executive Committee meeting of October 2017, the decision to create an independent sports brand, wholly owned by FAZ, was made in line with the objective of increased revenue generation and full control of thve value chain.
This is the first step by the Association to grow its commercial arm and to create additional, profitable revenue streams.
The brand, named KoPa, represents the best of Zambian football and the new Zambia kit is a true reflection of all the positive attributes in the Zambian game.
The new kit will be unveiled at the CHAN tournament in Morocco and the distribution of replica jerseys will begin shortly after.
The KoPa brand will be manufactured to international standard, will be available to FAZ members, other sporting associations and institutions and the general public, at affordable prices to meet the needs of the market.
The growth opportunities for the brand stretch beyond Zambia’s borders and an international variant of the brand will be available to clients in overseas markets.
FAZ would like to also take this opportunity to caution members of the general public to desist from purchasing counterfeit jerseys that are currently flooding the market.
The Association will therefore, inform members of the general public when the new national team jersey is on the market.
For and on behalf of:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
Desmond Katongo
COMMUNICATION MANAGER
Will judge when we see the product.
Is KOPA a FAZ owned brand or is it a personal money making adventure by internal stakeholders? Us external stakeholders would like to know.
Way to go, good initiative. You can not always rely on government to pay all bills. At least we are making headways, the fact that it is coming from abroad or oversees doesn’t mean quality. I remember at one point our own mulungushi textile was regarded one of the best in Africa and made exports to as far as the USA. Local is Lacker
It has to do with savings and making sure What you have covers all the department.
for a change let’s have our own , let’s see what will be brought on the table
It was Serios International of Luanshya.
lets hope it is way beyond better than the Zawa one. It is a good investment decision by FAZ. Government must make it a serious crime to manufacture a counterfeit replica of the KOpa jersey.