By SANDRA MWILA  –

THE Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) yesterday donated K25, 000 to the Handball Association of Zambia (HAZ) towards hosting of the International Handball Federation (IHF)Zone Six championship slated August 30 to September 6 in Lusaka.
HAZ communication manager Jasob Changa said during a media briefing at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) in Lusaka that the association now had a shortfall of K175, 000 from its 405, 000 budget.
Changa expressed confidence that HAZ would successfully host the seven-day event to be held at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) and called on the corporate world to come on board and help raise the funds.
“We are confident as an association that despite the financial hardships the association is facing, we shall successfully host the regional event which also acts as qualifier to next year’s continental championships,” he said.
Changa said eight countries namely Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and hosts Zambia had already confirmed participation.
He said Team Zambia would field 32 players representing 16 boys and girls for the tournament he expressed confidence the hosts would win going by the preparations of the two teams.
SCZ general secretary Innocent Chalabesa said the mother body was happy with the efforts the association was making towards the growth of the sport in the country.
“Handball is a minor sport but with the efforts HAZ is making the sport is rapidly growing and as SCZ we are happy with their efforts,” he said.