Zambia to host u-17 cricket tourney

ZAMBIA will host the Under-17 boys four nations cricket regional tournament billed for March 31st to April 1 in Ndola.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also ordered Zambia to stage the Under-19 boys eight nations championship in August.

Zambia Cricket Union president (ZCU) Reuben Chama confirmed in an interview yesterday that the country was set to host the U-17 boys tournament which will attract Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zambia.

Chama said the ICC had encouraged its members to host at least two events in a year to help the players gain enough exposure and improve competition levels.

“We have been mandated by the ICC to host the U-17 boys’ regional tournaments and we are on it. U-17 team selection is currently on paper but immediately the cholera pandemic is contained, the players should start the training,” he said.

He said ZCU will work hard to make sure the tournaments are held successfully and leave a lasting impression on the international community.

He said association’s 2018 target was to perform well in international tournaments.

“Our target at this year’s international engagements is exposure and medals. We are expected to compete in the Botswana regional T-20 men’s tournament in July and also the 8-nation women tournament in August,” Chama said.

The ZCU described 2017 as a good year for the union especially in the area of sport development across the country.

He was happy with the smooth distribution of equipment to schools which continues this year. “Despite the staged managed distractions, we managed to fulfil all our programmes on the 2017 calendar. The hosting of the first ever inter-provincial women’s tournament in Ndola was a success as it inspired our female players to work harder,” he said. Chama said Zambia is ranked fifth in Africa in terms of sport management and development which was a plus for the country.