By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
BADMINTON Zambia (BZ) is dangling US$5,000 (about K60,000) as prize money for the winner of the 2015 Zambia Open championship set for November 24 to 27 in Lusaka.
BZ general secretary Kingsley Mulenga said in an interview yesterday that the association had since kick-started mobilising the funds.
Defending champions Edwin Ekiring of Uganda and Karen Fu Kune of Mauritius will face stiff competition as shuttlers from around the globe are expected to battle for points in the championship that will kick-start the Southern Africa Circuit.
“The window for Zambia International opened on September 28 and closes on October 20. We are calling on all players in the country to enter for this championship. Preparations have already started and our budget is K90,000,” Mulenga said.
Meanwhile, BZ has unveiled a K240,000 budget for the five-member team that is scheduled to compete at next month’s 2015 World Junior Championships to be staged in Lima, Peru.
Mulenga said from the total budget, about K120,000 would be channelled towards the purchase of air tickets for the five players while the remaining amount will cater for other logistics.
“All we are asking for from the corporate world are air tickets. If only we can be assisted with tickets for our players, we will greatly appreciate,” Mulenga said.
