By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
THE Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) has cancelled the national draughts team trip to Niger for the Africa 10×10 Championship owing to the Ebola virus that hit most countries in West Africa.
According to a letter dated August 7 and signed by Milfred Muke on behalf of the SCZ general secretary, the clearance that was given to the Zambia Draughts Federation (ZDF) has been cancelled owing to the Ebola virus in West Africa.
“Kindly be informed that the clearance that was given to the athletes to attend the Africa 10×10 Draughts Championship has been cancelled. The athletes are not allowed to travel due to the Ebola situation in West Africa,” read part of the letter.
ZDF president Tentani Mwanzah said it was a pity that the two players Kennedy Phiri and Mwaaza Sakala would not make the trip after undergoing intense preparations.
Mwanzah, however, said the reasons given by the SCZ were genuine and that his federation has already informed the World Draughts Federation (WDF) and the organisers in Niger about the development.
“We have been preparing for this tournament since November last year with the assistance of Herman Kroes Bergn, a Dutch national who has rendered his support towards the growth of the sport in Zambia,” he said.
He said WDF president, Marcel Koster regretted that Zambia would not be part of the participating teams adding that countries badly affected by the Ebola would not be allowed to travel and compete.
Mwanzah said he did not expect ZDF to face any sanctions from world motherbody as it has faxed the letter from the SCZ which had laid out valid reasons for not participating.