President Hakainde Hichilema says he is happy with the wave of success in sports that has stemmed from increased support by his government.
And Copper Queens defender Margaret Belemu hailed President Hichilema for hosting sportsmen and women after they reaped medals at Women Africa Cup of Nations, Commonwealth Games and Chess Olympiads.
Meanwhile Hichilema said he valued the role administrators like FAZ president Andrew Kamanga play in the development of sports.
Speaking when he hosted a luncheon for the Copper Queens, Commonwealth medallists and a Chess Olympiad winner at State House, Hichilema said he was a strong believer in hard work and not luck.
Several business houses rewarded the various athletes for their success with the highlight being the two-bedroomed house given to 2022 Commonwealth gold medallist Muzala Samukonga while the Copper Queens received a 16-seater Higer Bus for their operations and a free training facility offer by Fallsway Arena until their FIFA World Cup campaign.
“Our sports people have energized us, you have renewed our hope as a country. Going forward, we should not be calling sports, football and other things as some of those other things. This is serious business,” he said.
“What we have achieved together, one year today, truly demonstrates that a little bit of support, as it is on financing, we took a decision, when we got into office when we were campaigning that we will invest in sports and truly there is no minor sports.”
Hichilema said he believed that there was no minor sport as athletes were gifted differently.
“They are all (sports) important because talents are different, how can one talent be a major talent and another talent a minor talent? That is negative. So, from today, sports administrators, can you change the writings in your brochures? There is no minor sport, there are just different sports and your government will support all the sports,” he said.
Hichilema also reiterated his sentients that Zambia was back among the elite of sports.
“When I said at the European Union Parliament where I was asked to make a presentation, I said at the end of my speech that we as a country are back in the Champions League, they thought I was playing with words, here we are,” he said.
Hichilema sought out FAZ president Andrew Kamanga whom he encouraged to continue working hard.
“We value the sports men and women, we value administrators, ba Kamanga mulibwino? (Mr Kamanga are you okay?) We value you, we value all the administrators, leadership is key. It is the one most important commodity that we must manage properly,” he said.
In her vote of thanks, Copper Queens right back Belemu thanked Hichilema for hosting the athletes for a luncheon that opened doors for the business community to pledge sponsorship for various excelling sports people.
Belemu pleaded for increased support for the Copper Queens as they prepared for the FIFA World Cup campaign pencilled for Australia/New Zealand in June next year.
“Everyone knows that the bigger journey begins now with preparations for the FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The level of investment in preparing for the World Cup will be greater and we expect that once again through your support we will be fully supported,” she said.
Hichilema did a double on hosting Copper Queens prior and after the WAFCON journey that he pledged to facilitate funding.
Government fully funded the WAFCON campaign for the first time and has pledged to also finance the FIFA World Cup campaign through a revised Memorandum of Understanding with FAZ.
(By FAZ Media )
