LET me join the sports fraternity in paying tribute to President Michael Sata who passed away in London on Tuesday.
The sports fraternity has lost their biggest supporter in the country and he may not have been physically present at match venues but his undying love for sports was there for all to see going by the way his Government’s support for sports development in the past three years.
Assuming office at the time Zambia was already committed to hosting the Zone Six Youth Games, President Sata ensured his Government put up new infrastructure at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) where the 90 Days Legacy Swimming Pool was built.
The National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) got a facelift as the basketball court was rehabilitated while new tennis and netball courts were constructed in view of hosting the Zone Six Games.
Hostels at the University of Zambia (UNZA) got a new face as it was used as the Games Village with new changing rooms built at Nkoloma and Sunset Stadia.
Zambia went on to host a successful event and that kick-started a series of events that saw the country playing host to many international competitions.
With Government’s zeal assured, Zambia went on to host and win the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup while the 90 Days Legacy Swimming Pool played host to Africa Junior Championship as well as the Zone Three/Four CANA championships.
The Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) and Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA), using the newly rehabilitated courts at NASDEC, hosted the Zone Six Championships.
Football in my view was the biggest winner as the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) started enjoying Government funding which the past regime froze owing to some wrangles that had occurred.
But President Sata ensured the Chipolopolo received maximum funding ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup tournament where Zambia made history by winning the tournament.
Former FAZ communications manager Erick Mwanza remembers that on his visit to South Africa where the team had set up camp, President Sata made a stop-over at the team’s hotel and upon hearing that resources were taking ‘slow’ to get to them, he immediately ordered that money be given. He followed this up by continuing to make checks up.
Mwanza concludes that such was President Sata’s dedication and love for the things dear to his people.
“He was always on the telephone with Kalusha Bwalya to find out about the players’ welfare and encouraged players to win trophies for Zambia. The whole team loved him dearly,” Mwanza, now a CAF media officer wrote on his facebook page.
Many would remember how many planes were chartered for soccer fans to go and cheer the Chipolopolo in the final against a highly rated Ivory Coast but the lads defied odds to come back with the title which was presented to the President at a luncheon hosted for them.
Examples are many to illustrate how President Sata supported sports development from the background including allowing Zambia to go ahead and bid to host the 2019 AFCON.
With that came a promise of building two new stadia in Mongu and Livingstone to add on the already existing Levy Mwanawasa and Heroes National Stadia.
It was during his reign that the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) started getting direct funding, which has seen many sports associations enjoying in their bid to compete at the various international competitions.
He may have served only for three years but he has left a lasting legacy of sports infrastructure development which is a boost to sports bodies performing well at the international scene.
The Chipolopolo honoured him with the AFCON title but must now go on and seal a World Cup qualification to say thank you to the support rendered towards their international engagements ranging from chartering flights and allowances.
It is only hoped that the programmes started towards sports infrastructure development will be completed.
My heartfelt condolence to the first family and May His Soul Rest In Peace. For comments eliaschipepo@gmail.com