By SANDRA MWILA –
GOVERNMENT has hailed Zambian Breweries and Coca-Cola Company for their unwavering support to the Copa Coca-Cola Schools football tournament.
Director of Human Resource at the Ministry of Education, Henry Tukombe said this during the closing ceremony of the week-long tournament held in Lusaka.
He said the schools competition has proved to be the base of football development in the country.
Tukombe said his ministry has also benefited from the 20 years of co-operation as the Copa Coca-Cola Schools competition has grown over the years to be a successful youth tournament.
“I would want to thank Zambian Breweries and Coca-Cola Company for their sponsorship which is not a mean achievement. The company is providing a great service to the people of Zambia by contributing to youth development. Talent should be developed from the grassroots and should be well nurtured,” he said.
He, however, condemned the behaviour of Mwata Day Secondary teacher and pupils for attacking a referee during the competition held at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka.
Central Province envoys Highridge emerged champions after beating Lusaka Province representatives Chongwe 2-0 in the final played on Saturday to walk away with K15,000 while the latter got K10,000
Mpika Secondary School automatically got third place after their opponents Mwata were disqualified on top of being slapped with a three-year ban for their action.
Zambia Breweries marketing manager John Cochran expressed happiness with the quality of football exhibited by the players.
Zambia Secondary Schools Sports Association (ZSSSA) president Chipagano Tembo described the tournament as successful.
Tembo said the tournament has helped in the Talent Identification Programme and development of the sport adding that plans were underway to introduce girls competition.
Meanwhile, Tembo said a schools’ national team will be selected from the just-ended tournament to represent Zambia at the continental schools sports tournament to be held in South Africa this month.