By MARTIN MUSUNKA –
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has reaffirmed its commitment to sports development and will continue to sponsor the annual Ndola invitational schools 7s and 15s rugby tournaments.
Chief organiser Philip Dongo said in an interview yesterday that FQM has confirmed continued sponsorship of the two annual tournaments which attract players from both private and Government schools.
Dongo said the 2018 FQM 7s schools’ tournament would be held at Simba International School on February 10 where exciting and entertaining school boy rugby would be on show.
He said among the competing schools at next month’s tournament are Ndola teams -Chiwala, Simba Temweni and Chifubu, Amano of Chingola, as well as Chengelo and Trident College from Solwezi.
Trident College are the event’s defending champions who humbled hosts Simba at last year’s gathering.
“It is worth noting that the standard of play has continued to improve at both private and Government schools,” Dongo said.
He explained that the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) has taken a keen interest in propping the standard of play by introducing the Get Into Rugby project to children in schools whose results are visible.
Dongo added that the Tag-Rugby Trust has also played a commendable role as most of the children at the FQM tournaments have been developed through tag rugby involvement.
“The FQM 7s rugby tournament is a showpiece of some exciting and entertaining school boy rugby. Trophies, shields, medals and various prizes will be handed out to deserving teams and individuals,” he added.
Dongo thanked FQM for being all-weather partners in sports development and their continued sponsorship of schools’ rugby was a demonstration that the mining company cares for the communities.
“We are highly indebted to FQM for its commitment to continue sponsoring rugby and for being all-weather partners in sports development. In return, we also pledge to continue organising better tournaments where talent among school boys is exposed,” he said.
Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS