School football league launched

GOVERNMENT working with the Football Association of Zambia has finally launched the School Football League under the FIFA Grassroots Project.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga hailed FIFA for the support which will promote the growth of football from the grassroots.

Speaking during the launch of the project at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Mulenga said it was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment towards realising the goals of the sports policy in the country.

"Football is a source of national pride as we have witnessed over the years. The launch is therefore, a significant milestone in development of grassroot sport.

The vision of Government and policy is to promote sports development in the country towards achieving at least 80 percent of citizenry participation in sports or physical activity of their choice," Mulenga said.

He said the government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu has been leading in the sport policy implementation process.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe, expressed delight that the Schools Football League project was launched in the province.

Nundwe hailed FAZ, the Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Sports for the ambition to revamp football from the grassroots.

He said football is a lucrative career which has the power to change young people’s lives to millionaires.

And FAZ president Andrew Kamanga hailed the government for supporting the implementation of the project which will be spread to all parts of the country.

Kamanga said the school football league fits very well with the association’s 10-year strategic plan aimed at developing grassroots football.

He said FIFA has committed to fund the project which will see some teachers being trained as coaches and referees.

The project will involve 20 primary and 20 secondary schools which will be empowered with jerseys and some football equipment by FAZ.