Zambia To Spend Big On Nations Cup Preparations

voldemort · 12-20-2007, 01:04 PM

The Zambian government have attempted to ensure the best possible preparation for their side's African Cup of Nations campaign by giving the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) a 1 million euro budget ahead of the tournament.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the country’s Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe confirmed that a high-level meeting last Friday with FAZ President Teddy Mulonga, technical committe chairman Henschel Chitembeya and acting Secretary-General Fidelis Banda resulted in the budget issue being raised.

After confirming the budget, though, the Sports Minister appealed to the private sector to partner with the government in an attempt to raise the sum more easily.

He stated that the amount indicated in the budget was prepared with a projection that the Zambian National team will get to the final of the tournament, which kicks off in a month's time.

The Minister was also reported as saying that the necessary details of the budget breakdown will be handled by the controlling officers of the government.

"Things in the budget will be looked at as we reach each stage. It was prepared looking at the whole tournament. I see nothing wrong with it," he told the media.

"The only problem is that it is wholly dependent on government. We are asking the private sector to come in," he added.

The budget is expected to take care of the team's training camp in Spain, the side's friendly encounters against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia and the Atlas Lions of Morocco, as well as their participation in the tournament proper.

The report also suggested that about three billion Kwacha will be paid as allowances to the Zambian players if they do weather the storm and make it to the final of the biennial tournament.

Also speaking was the FAZ acting Secretary-General Fidelis Banda, who confirmed that the meeting with the sports minister was, in his words "fruitful and constructive."

He also stated that the home-based Chipolopolo players will jet out to the team’s training camp on Christmas Day, while the foreign-based ones should have arrived by the 29th, where they would then engage the Tunisians and the Moroccans in friendly matches.

He could not confirm, though, if the team would have any game with the Palacas Negras of Angola.

"We could not agree on terms with Angola. Since we had not budgeted to go to Portugal, we asked them to pay for airfares but it seems they will not make it," he was quoted as saying.

The Zambians will begin their campaign against the Sudanese National team, who are excelling in faraway Tanzania at the CECAFA Championship, on the 22nd of January in Kumasi.

Four days later they will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon before finally rounding up the group phase with an encounter against the Pharaohs of Egypt on the 30th of January.

source:goal.com

12-20-2007, 01:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,172	Zambia To Spend Big On Nations Cup Preparations The Zambian government have attempted to ensure the best possible preparation for their side's African Cup of Nations campaign by giving the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) a 1 million euro budget ahead of the tournament. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the country’s Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe confirmed that a high-level meeting last Friday with FAZ President Teddy Mulonga, technical committe chairman Henschel Chitembeya and acting Secretary-General Fidelis Banda resulted in the budget issue being raised. After confirming the budget, though, the Sports Minister appealed to the private sector to partner with the government in an attempt to raise the sum more easily. He stated that the amount indicated in the budget was prepared with a projection that the Zambian National team will get to the final of the tournament, which kicks off in a month's time. The Minister was also reported as saying that the necessary details of the budget breakdown will be handled by the controlling officers of the government. "Things in the budget will be looked at as we reach each stage. It was prepared looking at the whole tournament. I see nothing wrong with it," he told the media. "The only problem is that it is wholly dependent on government. We are asking the private sector to come in," he added. The budget is expected to take care of the team's training camp in Spain, the side's friendly encounters against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia and the Atlas Lions of Morocco, as well as their participation in the tournament proper. The report also suggested that about three billion Kwacha will be paid as allowances to the Zambian players if they do weather the storm and make it to the final of the biennial tournament. Also speaking was the FAZ acting Secretary-General Fidelis Banda, who confirmed that the meeting with the sports minister was, in his words "fruitful and constructive." He also stated that the home-based Chipolopolo players will jet out to the team’s training camp on Christmas Day, while the foreign-based ones should have arrived by the 29th, where they would then engage the Tunisians and the Moroccans in friendly matches. He could not confirm, though, if the team would have any game with the Palacas Negras of Angola. "We could not agree on terms with Angola. Since we had not budgeted to go to Portugal, we asked them to pay for airfares but it seems they will not make it," he was quoted as saying. The Zambians will begin their campaign against the Sudanese National team, who are excelling in faraway Tanzania at the CECAFA Championship, on the 22nd of January in Kumasi. Four days later they will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon before finally rounding up the group phase with an encounter against the Pharaohs of Egypt on the 30th of January. source:goal.com