By ELIAS CHIPEPO –

ZAMBIA will host a four-day Confederation of Southern African Table Tennis Associations (CSATTA) Zone Six tournament at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka from January 30 to February 2.

Tournament organising committee public relations officer Haroon Ghumra said yesterday that the Zambia Table Tennis Association (ZTTA) was scouting for K190, 000 to successfully host the championship.

Ghumra said the amount will cater for accommodation and meals, transportation, trophies, medals and organisational expenses.

He said the organising committee was looking up to the Ministry of Sport, Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) and financial institutions as well as well wishers help raise the amount.

Ghumra said six countries have so far confirmed their participation for the tournament that will see a total of 65 players competing in what would be the biggest ever table tennis championship to be staged by Zambia.

He named the countries as Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia who will field two teams by virtue of been hosts while Malawi were yet to confirm their participation.

Ghumra said the organising committee, set up by the ZTTA, has been working hard towards the successful hosting of the tournament that was last hosted by South Africa in 2009.

“The issue of funding is critical to the successful hosting of the tournament. I therefore appeal to the corporate world and those who have pledged to assist to do so now so that the tournament can be

successfully staged,” he said.

Ghumra, who is also ZTTA patron, commended the OYDC management through its centre director Clement Chileshe for the support rendered to the association in training the players and hosting competitions.