By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
THE Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) has released up to K110, 000 to its two affiliates, the Midlands Cricket Association (MCA) and Copperbelt Cricket Association (CCA) for the development of the sport in the country.
Furthermore, the ZCU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with both the MCA and CCA to facilitate the releasing of funds and help the two bodies run the game in the regions.
ZCU president Reuben Chama said yesterday that the money was to be used for various reasons ranging from administrative costs to the maintenance of the playing pitches used for league games in the two regions.
“We are releasing money to both the CCA and the MCA which is meant to help in the better running of the game. We have also included money for the maintenance of pitches and also for the improvement of local league,” he said.
For the maintenance of playing ground and general infrastructure development, the ZCU has released K65, 000 to be shared by both affiliates and then a K45, 000 towards the improvement of the domestic league and junior players’ involvement.
“As you are aware, the ZCU has a programme of involving locals in townships in the game and part of that money is to go towards that. We would like to see the game run smoothly and that is why we are getting to our affiliates,” Chama said.
For the grounds’ maintenance and infrastructure development, the MCA will receive K24, 500 to be shared by three clubs namely Metropolitan, Lotus and Centrals.
For the same purpose, the CCA will receive K40, 500 to be shared by five clubs in the region and these are Nchanga, Nkana, Mufulira, Kanini and Bharati.
In the MoU with the MCA, the ZCU said that more money would be released but only after reports are handed to the motherbody and proper accounting of the funds and that the union will be carrying out periodical inspection of the projects.
“The allocation of the funds is strictly for the sole purpose as stated by the ZCU for the improvement of the domestic league and junior/local involvement. The expected deliverables by the MCA to the ZCU includes league fixtures and reports and logs.
“Other expectations are the producing updated scorers and umpires of games and the inclusion of at least two under-19 players in each team. ZCU will release more funds of the production of progress reports,” he said.