By SANDRA MWILA –
FAMILIES of the 1993 Gabon Air Disaster victims feel Government and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) have failed to give the deceased a memorial befitting of their status.

• FAMILY members of late national soccer team defender John Soko laying wreaths at his grave during yesterday’s memorial to mark 22-years of the 1993 Gabon Air disaster.

Family representative Martin Mutale said it was sad that 22 years on, the burial site does not look like a place where gallant men, who died on duty to represent their country, lie.
Martin, the young brother to the late striker Kelvin, said the families will stick to their annual commemoration of the memorial despite Government and FAZ pronouncement that the event be celebrated every five years.
“When you look at the surrounding, it doesn’t look like a burial site for gallant men, moving forward we will have a meeting as families on how best we can maintain the surrounding and also give the deceased a befitting memorial.
FAZ and government say they agreed to have a memorial held every five years, we don’t know who they agreed with because it was not with us,” he said.
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya said the plight of taking care of the burial site was not for the association alone but for every Zambian.
Kalusha, who yesterday laid wreaths Independence Stadium Heroes Acre, said the responsibility of taking care of the burial site was everyone’s duty because the fallen heroes will forever hold mention in Zambian football.
The former Chipolopolo skipper said visiting the burial site of his teammates brought a lot of fresh memories of the wonderful times they spent together.
“We praise God for their lives. I had the privilege to be with my teammates, they brought so much glory to the country and Zambian football will never be the same without them,” he said.
He said Zambia has a rich football history and it was up to the young generation of players to showcase their talent and emulate the fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, veteran administrator Simaata Simaata said a proposal has been floated to the families to come up with a Gabon Memorial Trust Fund.
Simaata said the funds to be raised will be channelled towards the maintenance of the burial site and commemoration of memorials.
“We have put it across to the families that we want to create a Gabon Memorial Trust Fund to maintain this place. The Heroes Acre is a milestone on itself but we can still do better for the gallant men who paid an ultimate price with their lives,” he said.
Others that attended the ceremony included FAZ executive members Lee Kawanu and Jeffery Chipilingu, Chipolopolo coach Honour Janza, administrators Andrew Kamanga, Under-17 soccer team coach Chris Kaunda and Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASOFA) strongman Peter Makembo.