FQM hailed for sponsoring rugby tourneys

By MARTIN MUSUNKA THE Ndola Annual invitational schools Sevens and 15s rugby tournaments Chief organiser, Philip Dongo has commended First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for supporting the growth of rugby in Zambia.

Dongo said in an interview yesterday that FQM has confirmed continued sponsorship of the two annual tournaments which attract players from both private and Government schools.

Dongo thanked FQM for being all-weather partners in sports development and their continued sponsorship of schools’ rugby was a demonstration that the mining company cares for the communities.

Dongo said the FQM Sevens schools’ tournament would be held at Simba International School in Ndola on February 10 where exciting and entertaining school boy rugby would be on display.

“We are highly indebted to FQM for its commitment to continue sponsoring rugby and for being all-weather partners in sports development. In return, we also pledge to continue organising better tournaments where talent among school boys is exposed,” Dongo said.

“It is worth noting that the standard of play has continued to improve at both private and Government schools,” Dongo explained that the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) has taken a keen interest in propping up the standard of play by introducing the Get into Rugby project to children in schools whose results are visible.

He added that the Tag Rugby Trust has also played a commendable role as most of the children at the FQM tournaments have been developed through tag rugby involvement.

“The FQM Sevens rugby tournament is a showpiece of some exciting and entertaining school boy rugby. Trophies, shields, medals and various prizes will be handed out to deserving teams and individuals,” he added.

The annual invitational schools Sevens and 15s rugby tournaments will feature Ndola teams such as Chiwala, Simba Temweni, and Chifubu, Amano of Chingola, Chengelo, and Trident College Rugby Club from Solwezi.