By MWANGALA LISELI –
ZAMBIAN Breweries yesterday unveiled a whopping US$220,000 (about K1.5 million) sponsorship package for the 2015 COPA Coca-Cola Schools football tournament which now includes the girls’ sport.
The 22nd COPA Coca-Cola Cup, which is slated for September, is targeting to benefit at least 5,000 pupils in all 10 Zambian provinces.
Kabwe’s Highridge Secondary School are the defending champions for the prestigious national schools football tournament.
Zambian Breweries marketing manager, Mambo Mwiimbu said the sponsorship package would include the sponsorship of girls football in all the provinces, which reach out to more than 5, 000 pupils across the country.
Mwiimbu said the programme had enhanced youth economic development and inspired school-going children to develop their football talent.
Coca-Cola senior branch manager, Yvonne Musoko said the tournament was the 27th this year in Africa and the 22nd in Zambia.
She said more than 23 million young players had been helped to lead healthy lifestyles through the development of children soccer.
Musoko said the company’s aim was to increase healthy programmes targeted at the youths in communities. She said the tournament was in 19 countries in Africa of which Zambia had always participated in.
Education Permanent Secretary, Chishimba  Nkosha said the tournament helped in promoting unity and peace among nations which Zambia was advocating for.
Zambia Schools Sports Associations president, Chipangano Tembo said 942 players had entered for the tournament with the preliminary games already taking place in all 10 provinces.