Girls Copa Coca Cola tourney launched
By SPORTS REPORTER COCA-COLA Zambia has launched the 2018 Under-15 Copa Coca-Cola school soccer tournament which will for the first time feature girls’ teams from all the ten proYinces.
The tournament which will feature both girls and boys teams will see 10 girls' teams and 10 boys' teams from the country’s ten provinces competing for the national championship set to kick off early next month in Lusaka.
Coca-Cola Regional Franchise Director Phillipine Mtikitiki said this year’s tournament would be big noting that the winners in both categories would walk away with a sum of K30 000, K15 000 more than what the previous winners got.
Mtikitiki said the winners will also benefit from a legacy programme which will compel Coca Cola to help the school with water and sanitation problems or help the school improve technologically.
MtiNitiNi reaffirmed Coca Cola’s commitment to contribute to the development of soccer through the Copa Coca Cola tournament which has been running for over 25 years.
“COPA Coca-Cola is the premier grassroots tournament that unlocks the ambitious dreams and possibilities of the world’s football stars. It aims to inspire young footballers to achieve their dreams through a renowned and respected soccer tournament. It has nurtured many stars like Stopila Sunzu and Kennedy Mweene, to name a few,´ MtiNitiNi said.
Meanwhile, Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary, Henry Tukombe commended Coca Cola Zambia for their commitment towards the growth of soccer in Zambia
Tukombe, who was the guest of honour during the launch urged participating teams to maintain discipline to succeed in their careers.
“Most great football players have not made it due to discipline issues; some have gotten the highest number of yellow cards and others red cards. Our football players have to know that football greats like Pele have made it to the top because of discipline; we have often sadly seen some of our best football players for one season not making it to the top again the next season. My challenge to the football administrators, coaches and players is to take the subject of discipline seriously and weave it in their daily lives,´ TuNombe said.
And Zambia Schools Sports Association (ZASSA) president Chipa Tembo hailed Coca Cola Zambia for having fulfilled its promise of introducing a girl’s tournament which would help identify talent from the grassroots.
Kasama Girls will face Katete girls Kiawama Day and Choma Day in group A while group B has Mpongwe Boarding, Arakan Girls and Chibolya Day.
Group C comprises of Kalabo Girls, Mine Secondary and Kasama and Chinsali Girls
In the boys’ category, Chipata Secondary, Mwali Secondary, Ituna and Highridge face off in group A Group B comprises of Chavuma, Chifubu and Isoka while group C consist of Mansa, Choma and Kambule Technical High School.