Lusaka, June 13, 2024, ZANIS—- The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the government have signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a Technical Centre worth 10 million United States Dollars investment from FIFA.
Speaking when FIFA President Gianni Infantino paid a courtesy call at Statehouse, President Hakainde Hichilema noted the need for FIFA to continue investing in football, owing to the employment challenges, especially among young people.
The President noted that countries like Zambia have been able to avail their football talents to the world because of investment in the sport discipline that has offered a livelihood to many.
And President Hichilema urged the global football governing body to take the lead in ensuring that disputes among member associations are resolved amicably.
President Hichilema stated that football being a unifying sport, dialogue to resolve disputes is encouraged to foster team work, unlike taking the direction to litigations.
“We would like to see global, regional and local football governing bodies to continue with a positive spirit in the game of football by pushing love,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State also wants business training skills to be enhanced for footballers, stating that it prepares them for the future when they are no longer able to play.
FIFA President said Zambia has continued to excel in terms of football, recognizing the quality of the Copper Queens who are being cherished and recognized globally for their talent.
Infantino stated that Zambia is able to produce the most expensive female players in the world, talent that should not be neglected.
He called for joint responsibility to continue investing in the game of football, while assuring FIFAs commitment to give an opportunity to talented footballers a chance to showcase their ability to the world.
Meanwhile, Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu described the visit by FIFA President as a unique gesture that will enhance relations towards continued promotion of football in Zambia through infrastructure development and share the FIFA vision of football.
Nkandu stated that this will enable FIFA and Zambia to continue working together in an effort to accomplish football development objectives.
He added that the visit has seen the injection of 10 million United States dollars’ worth of investment into the Technical Centre, for the development of Zambian football.
ZANIS reports that later, a signing ceremony between the Football Association of Zambia and the government to signify the development of a Technical Centre that will be constructed in Chongwe, with a 10 million dollars funding from FIFA was witnessed.
