The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has confirmed that Zambian football players in Turkey are safe.
According to a statement by FAZ Communications Manager Sydney Mungala, the players are far away from the Earthquake hit area.
More than 7,000 people are known to have died in Turkey and northern Syria, which was also devastated by the quake.
Monday’s 7.8 magnitude quake struck at 04:17 (01:17 GMT) near the city of Gaziantep.
“Following an earthquake that hit the Kahramanmaras Province in Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) wishes to inform its members and stakeholders that all the players plying their trade in that country are safe.”
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala says that his office has been in touch with the players and relevant government officials in Turkey to appreciate the situation on the ground.
A rescue operation is continuing across much of Southern Turkey and Northern Syria after two huge earthquakes killed more than 4,300 people.
Zambia has four women national team players plying their trade in the Turkish topflight. The quartet comprises Hazel Nali, Margaret Belemu, Prisca Chilufya and Misozi Zulu.
Goalkeeper Hazel Nali is on the books of Fatih Vatan Spor based in Istanbul, while Margaret Belemu and Misozi Zulu play for Hakkrigucu Spor in Hakkari with Prisca Chilufya based in Istanbul where she plays for Fatih Karagumruk.
Additionally, defender Martha Tembo and midfielders Hellen Chanda and Ireen Lungu who play in Kazakhstan are also in Turkey for pre-season with WFC BIIK-Shymkent.
Kashala says it is too early to tell whether the Turkish Cup pencilled for February 13-22 will take off in light of the tragedy.
