By RONALD CHAWE –
THE Chinese Embassy has pumped in US$5,900 into hosting of the Chinese Ambassador’s Badminton tournament slated for next month at the Olympic Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka.
The tournament set for April 8-9 would see players compete in four events namely; men’s and women singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Badminton Zambia (BZ) general secretary Kingsley Mulenga, who confirmed the development, said the gesture signified the importance the Chinese Government attached towards supporting various sports in the country.
“As an association, we are indebted to the Chinese Embassy for the kind sponsorship that they have rendered towards hosting this tournament and the consistent support to Zambian sports activities in the country.
This gesture signifies and emphasises the great importance China attaches to enhancing exchange in culture and sports with Zambia,” he said.
Last year, about 97 players from all over the country participated in the tournament that saw then Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Zhou Yuxiao pledge continuous support to the BZ through the embassy.
Zhou assured BZ that the annual event will continue to be held even after he leaves office as the embassy will continue sponsoring the event yearly.
Mulenga said he was happy that the embassy has lived to its pledge by sponsoring this year’s tournament.
