By RONALD CHAWE –
TWO clubs from South Africa and United Kingdom are looking to sign three Zambia rugby 7s players after recent impressive outings.
RG Sports Management (RGSM) Director Ronnel Armengol said his organisation has been approached by the two clubs he refused to name for the signatures of Zambia 7s skipper Israel Kalumba, Laston Mukosa and Edward Mumba.
RGSM were contracted by the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) to manage and sell the Zambia 7s team and also arrange for international competitions.
The trio who play as prop, fly-half and winger, have been instrumental for the team’s decent showings at the major international events which have been televised live by pay-per-view Kwese TV.
The players helped the country to make it to the 2018 Goad Coast Commonwealth games to be held in Australia.
“We are also starting to look for placements for three players. They are three solid first choice players who deserve a chance to try their game at the highest level and I am sure they will not disappoint,” he said.
He said since 2016 when the team finished last at the Africa Cup, the players fought on to see Zambia finish fourth this year after losing a quarter-final game by eventual winners Uganda.
He said based on this year’s results, he believed the players have made positive steps forward to try the professional game.
Apart from finishing fourth at the Africa Cup, the Zambian 7s beat Zimbabwe to lift the Zambia International 7s to end a 12-year drought.
They also finished third at the Vic-Falls 7s in Zimbabwe then won the Plate title in Namibia and then silver in Lesotho.
And ZRU General Secretary Francis Chitambo expressed happiness about the development.
Chitambo said for the players to be scouted at such a level means that the Zambian game has reached an advanced stage.
“This is a good development for the  growth of the Zambian game, that shows that we are developing as a country and as a union, we would only wish them the best of luck in their careers because if they perform well, it means that they will open a new path for other  players,” he said.