Government has handed over 80 hectares of land to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for the construction of a technical centre in Chongwe District which will cost 10 million United States dollars.
The construction which is being funded by world football governing body FIFA will start in 2025 and the project is expected to be complete within a three-year period.
The technical centre will have modern state of the art football facilities and a new FAZ Headquarters.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe told a media briefing in Lusaka today that the facility will also have multiple training grounds, including artificial and natural turf, for elite and grassroots football programmes.
Chileshe said the technical centre which will transform the football landscape in the country will boost talent development, enhance women’s football in addition to grassroots empowerment and strengthen the national team.
“Improved training infrastructure will directly contribute to the performance of Zambia’s national teams on regional and international stages,” he stated.
And FAZ President Andrew Kamanga disclosed that the technical centre is one of the landmark projects FAZ secured through its partnership with FIFA under the FIFA forward program.
Kamanga who was represented by FAZ Lusaka Province Chairperson Jordan Maliti said the technical centre will revolutionise football in the country.
He said the FIFA project is a testament of a partnership between FIFA, FAZ and the government.
“FIFA has already provided support for the rehabilitation of four provincial stadia namely David Kaunda, Independence, Kaole and Kasama. Government leased the four stadia to FAZ while FIFA provided the 1.5 million-dollar funds for the rehabilitation project,” Kamanga added
ZANIS
Whilst sport builds bridges for sure
considering our woes I would say a bit misplaced at this time
I agree. Kamanga is just eating up all our taxes. Remember government is going to pay millions to that coach whom FAZ wrongly fired. Kamanga just needs to pack and go.
I thought the project is being funded by FIFA, or am I reading the article incorrectly?
The article is clear that the funds are coming from FIFA!! Do people even know what FIFA is or are they just falling over themselves to say something that can be critical of govt.?
@Makunku and others FIFA threatened to withhold funds if FAZ didnt pay the coach
@Shaquille this why the President of Zambia told the current executive to “restructure their books” to sort of these issues. It seems the mess has been been going on for years. And now one “Kalusha Bwalya” wants to come back. And do what? When sanity is being restored someone wants to bring back madness…awe…Football is tired and let some old people rest. Recycling and perpetual stay at the helm kwati FAZ yabo?
While FAZ is doing something to improve their lot, Zesco appears in deep slumber and clueless about the crippling blackouts. How I wish it was the other way round!
What are some of them failing to follow? Its government that is donating land to FAZ. Apart from that, its after being forced to pay for a coach wrongfully fired by FAZ
And when a new government comes in people will be arrested for illegal land transfer.
If the land was transferred illegally – yes!!! Arresting people for illegality is normal. However, I have not read anything that would suggest that this land transfer was illegal.
#Makunku. You people are too defensive to analyze anything. I didn’t say it was illegal. My point is that someone will make it illegal just to get at someone. Please don’t be too sensitive.
Who are you people? Stop generalising. Why do want to suggest that when we dont agree with you then we are political? I just cant have a view of my own that is different from the norm?