CATHERINE

By SANDRA MWILA –
GOVERNMENT has raised K81, 000 towards the purchasing of a house for World Boxing Council (WBC) silver bantamweight champion, Catherine Phiri.
Sports Minister, Chishimba Kambwili said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the ministry had already got a quotation of a house worth K499, 000 located in Kasangula Road in Roma Township.
Kambwili said his ministry donated K50,000 towards the Catherine’s house a project that was promised last year.
“The ministry will factor in K50,000 in next year’s budget but I will take it upon myself to borrow that money from people so that it can be deposited in the account,” Kambwili said.
Mwamona Engineering Company owned by Kambwili also made a donation of K20,000 towards the project.
Kambwili said Catherine was making tremendous progress in her boxing career and that helping her buy a house would be good for her welfare.
“Catherine is not only good in boxing she also qualified to Grade 10 and is a head girl at her school which proves she is disciplined in everything she does, Kambwili said .
Kambwili also called on the corporate world to emulate some companies that have come on board to assist.
Tyre King and Zambia Fertilisers yesterday donated a total K11,000.
Tyre King representative, Modester Banda presented a K10,000 cheque to Kambwili and urged Catherine to continue to working hard in School.
“Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Catherine for achievements, continue working hard as you are a role model to many girls,”he said.
Zambia fertilisers Human resource manager Frank Phiri also made a contribution of K1, 000.
Kambwili said he was hopeful the deficit of K418, 000 will be met soon for the house to be handed over to Catherine before Zambia’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
The WBC champion also thanked all the sponsors and officially handed over her two professional belts to the minister.
To show a gesture of appreciation to the Catherine also donated a pair of gloves to Kambwili.
“I will continue to work hard to put the Zambian flag on the World map and with your support I am positive I will attain greater heights,” she said.
Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson, Nelson Sapi thanked Kambwili for his efforts in helping purchase a house for Catherine.
“These donations have come at a right time and as a board we are happy that the ministry is keeping the promise made last year,” he said.