‘MONEY NOT A PROBLEM’

….government has money to pay national team coach

GOVERNMENT remains committed to increasing the salary of the Zambia national soccer team coach to attract good quality coaches who can deliver the expected results, says Sports, Youth and Arts Minister Elvis Nkandu.

Nkandu said in an interview that the proposal, especially on increment in terms of paying the Chipolopolo coach has been approved by the government which has increased funding to the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Arts.

He said that as a major stakeholder, Government was looking forward to see a quality and experienced coach who will be able to stand the test of time as Chipoloopolo gaffer.

He said the hiring and firing of coaches was not good for the national team which needs to pick lessons from the Senegalese national team which qualified for the 2023 Fifa World Cup with a local coach.

“I want to say that the increment will be there for the coach so the question of paying less money to a coach will be a thing of the past,” Nkandu said.

“As we progress we will continue increasing the salary of the coaches so that we attract more quality and experienced coaches.”

Nkandu also noted the need for the Football Association of Zambia to engage sports bodies such as the Football and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) and former players who are major stakeholders to also assist in helping identify the best coach for the national team.

He said that the debate should not be about a foreign or local coach but someone who can be able to deliver the results. He also noted the need to ensure that coaches are rewarded and treated equally for them to be motivated to produce the best results.