Hundreds of North Western Province residents and local leadership have gathered at Sentinel School grounds to witness the launch of the Trident Football Academy.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga who is accompanied by provincial chairperson Arthur Kamulosu, general secretary Reuben Kamanga and technical director Lyson Zulu is guest of honour.
Senior Chief Musele of the Lunda speaking people is among the dignitaries that include North Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi (rtd), council chairperson Shadreck Munjunga and district commissioner Brenda Sakisa Kamboyi.
Area Member of Parliament Nicholas Mukumi is also part of the festivities.
Speaking when the FAZ president and his entourage paid a courtesy call on him, Col Katambi thanked FAZ for prioritizing grassroots football.
“I am very happy that you came all the way to witness this event. It means a lot to us and the community. I was one of the critics when you started your tenure but now we are seeing the fruits. You are doing a commendable job,” he said.
“This is a good program that will see us ensure that children from this community can also excel in the game.”
And Trident Foundation chairperson Joseph Ngwira explained that the mining form had decided to venture into nurturing talent from the base.
“Previously the focus was on the team playing in the elite league but we realized that the rewards could be more if we ventured into the grassroots,” Ngira said.
He explained that the idea was to tap talent from the grassroots from surrounding communities.
The FAZ president highlighted that the academy launch was a perfect response to the decentralization policy implemented by Football House.
Kamanga encouraged the regional leadership to tap into the opportunities presented by decentralization.
The academy will also run a scholarship program for some excelling candidates.
As part of the launch, the organizers have staged match between the Solwezi under-16 select against the Musele under-16 side.
