OYDC in financial crisis
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
THE Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) which is facing serious financial constraints can raise about K4 million if the illegal settlers that have encroached on its 15 hectares of land paid settlement fees.
Centre director Clement Chileshe said also said that various sports associations owed OYDC K1 million for the use of the facility accrued this year alone.
Chileshe told Journalists during a media briefing yesterday that the modern sports centre which was constructed in 2009 at a cost of US$14 million and has produced medal winners such as Africa women 400 me- ters champion Kabange Mupopo was in dire need of financial support.
He said an annual budget of K10 million was required for smooth running of the facility which hosted over 19 sport disciplines.
Chileshe said that the 2017 funding from government and International Olympic Committee (IOC) could not even meet half of the budget.
This has resulted in the Centre to reduce the number of staff while those still employed go for almost two months without pay.
“The IOC reduced their funding this year from K4.5 million to K1.4 million while our cut from government was K750, 000 which is way below the K10, 000 needed to run the Centre,” he said.
Chileshe further explained that OYDC occupied 19 hectares of land while the remaining 15 hectares has been encroached on by illegal settlers.
“A decision to formalise the plots for sale was made last year and about five people paid. e were expected to raise K4 million but the process has been halted,
He said OYDC was last year given a go ahead by Lusaka City Council to formally sell the plots to about 400 illegal settlers for K53.3 per square metre over a period of two years.
“We are in talks with the area Member of Parliament Lloyd Kaziya to see how the settlers can pay the fees,” he explained.
He said the centre hosts nonsport events to raise funds which has been criticised by some sports associations.
Chileshe noted that the encroachment has led to vandalism of the facility.
He said they had to painfully endure the vandalism than switch on the electric fence to prevent loss of lives of the children. “Others may call us careless when they see how this place is being vandalised. But we are surrounded by a community now which was not the case during the construction of the facility. And we cannot switch on power to the electric fence to prevent a loss of life, especially to children,” said Chileshe