The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has revealed that this year’s Gabon Air disaster will be commemorated alongside the KK Day.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga in his weekly update said the Association and the Government have combined efforts to draw up a program for the event.
“Welcome to this week’s interaction which comes on the backdrop of the 30th Gabon Memorial anniversary. As we commemorate the anniversary of the darkest hour in the history of our match, we have combined efforts with the government to draw up a program for the event. We also take cognisance of the fact that April 28 is a designated public holiday in honour of First Republican President Kenneth David Kaunda,” Kamanga wrote.
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts have aligned this year’s anniversary with the KK Day. We will converge at the Heroes Acre on Friday morning and join in the government program in the National Heroes Stadium afterwards. The thirtieth-year mark coincides with the five-year official government pronouncement to commemorate the Gabon disaster with an official function.”
“The memory of the heroes that were on their way to fulfilling a USA 94’ FIFA World Cup match in Dakar inspires us to keep working towards actualizing their dream. There is no greater honour than representing one’s country on the biggest stage in world football,” he added.
Eighteen players, technical staff, a FAZ president, crew and some government officials died on April 28, 1993, when a Zambia Air Force plane ferrying them to Dakar for USA 1994 World Cup qualifier crashed off the coast of Gabon.
The plane went down soon after a refuelling stop in Gabon while heading to Senegal for a 1994 World Cup qualifier against the Teranga Lions.
