Government says the planned construction of an ultra modern stadium by the Chinese constructer in Ndola would not be called Dag Hammajoeld .
Youth , Child and Sports development minister Gabriel Namulambe said it was
unfortunate that some quarters are suggesting that the ultra modern stadium should
be after the late United Nations Secretary Genera who died after a plane crash in
the outskirts of Ndola in the late sixties.
Mr Namulambe said since Ndola has had no big stadium for International tournaments
for many years since Dag Hammejoeld stadium was demolished , government saw the need
to construct an ultra modern stadium in the commercial capital of the province.
He said government has identified a different site for the stadium adding that the
name of the stadia would come after the stadium is constructed.
” We should forget about naming the stadium for now until the stadium is
constructed,” he said.
The minister said this last night during the KCM premier awards presentation
ceremony held at Cresta Gold view.
He said government was determined to lift the standards of sports in the country
adding that it also plans to construct two other ultra modern stadiums in
Livingstone and Lusaka.
He said government was still raising funds for the Lusaka and Livingstone stadiums
adding that in this year’s budget money has been allocated funds for the
rehabilitation of the independence stadium.
And FAZ president Teddy Mulonga paid tribute to government for assisting his
organisation to improve soccer in the country.
Mulenga said FAZ had with government’s support scored a number of achievements last
season such as the senior Chipolopolo boys lifting the COSAFA castle and the
confederation of East and Central African Association (CECAFA) cups.
He also said FAZ was the women’s national football team lifted a bronze medal in
last year’s COSAFA women’s tournament and the junior chipopolo’s exemplary
performance at the recent Africa Youth Champions ion Congo Brazzaville where it was
among the four teams to participate at the world youth cup.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS
Kalaba helps Zesco United to win 2007 charity shield
Lusaka, February 24, ZANIS — National team striker Rainford Kalaba led his team ,
Zesco United, to become the 2007 Charity Shield Champions after beating resurgent
Kabwe Warriors 6 – 4 on post match penalties.
Playing before a small crowd at Woodlands stadium made his presence known after
warriors scored in the 24 minute through Emmanuel Mayuke.
Kalaba’s dribbling skills penetrated and weakened Warriors defence but his strikes
at goal was parried away by Warriors’ goal minder Masuzyo Mubanga.
Mubanga saved his team from Zesco’s humiliating defeat by saving Kalaba’s three
indirect kicks in the in the 30th, 65 and 80th minutes of the game.
The former Afrisport who also plied his trade with Nice Football Team of France for
a year, however scored Zesco United equalizer in 34 minute by taking advantage of
Warrior’s defensive error.
Warriors striking prowess was weakened when team captain Clive Sichandwe was ordered
off after he was given his third yellow card for roughly tackling on Zesco
midfielder Maybin Mwaba.
Save for a few scoring opportunities which were missed by Warriors strikers, Zesco
took charge of the game which went into extra time after the two teams tied one all
at fulltime.
The same result after extra time made the match go to spot kicks in which Zesco
keeper Jacob Banda saved to spot kicks to make his team become the charity shield
champions.
And speaking in post match interviews, Zesco coach Masauso Mwale said he was happy
with the results.
Mwale said although he was not happy with the manner his team played, he was all the
same happy with the results.
He said Zesco would this year display classic football in the 2007 FAZ/KCM Premier
league.
However, his counterpart Chabi Chabala blamed the bad referring and the sending off
team captain Sichandwe for the loss.
Chabala lamented that bad referring was even behind his team captain being given
three yellow cards adding that the referee been fair, Kalaba would also have been
given three yellow cards.
I hope it will not be called Levy Patrick Mwanawasa SC stadium. Can you also give us the reason why we cant retain the original name. Everything should go with reasons Mr honourable minister sir.
I know the govt tricks are usually suspicious.The first thing to ask about the Ndola stadia is where did the money come from?If you know where the money to build the stadia came from then the name of the stadia is also known. Hu stadia oe china.
Samuel Zoom Ndlovu stadium or Godfrey Ucar Chitalu Stadium should be the firstnames to think about
Ya, I second Godfrey Ucar Chitalu. I think he is one of Zambia’s all time great striker who really has not been honoured. Yes we can argue about that ..but that for another day. And his record with the Zambia National Team was quite solid. Zoom has a cup named after him
As a former Ndola resident, its great hear the town will have new stadium of note. Naming it after one of our great soccer players will be a great idea, but please not one of our so called politians, especailly not the current or former presidents.
Construct the stadium first, and naming later. How much work has been done so far at the constructing site? Bxxl sxxt none? Keep your oxygen please.
How To Divert The Thinking Of A Zambian.
For how long will the debate of the construction of the stadium go on,Finish the stadium and whoever finance’s it 90%,names the stadium. If i constructed it, i would name it Kayata ,Itawa , Kafubu or Ndola Stadium.I think naming infrastructure’s to people’s name’s is of no use in the times of today.
Let the residents of the city of Ndola name the stadium. Hold a vote even make it into a competition. Football belongs to the people(Supporters).