By GODFREY DUBE –
SPORTS Minister Vincent Mwale will tomorrow take off his suit and referee a Pepsi sponsored celebrities match ahead of the Young Champions Cup (YCC) final in Chawama Township in Lusaka this today.
The Young Champions Cup is a Pepsi funded grassroots football tournament played in the townships of Lusaka and Ndola and would later spread to other towns.
Mwale is not new to football as he has starred in the Members of Parliament games and also plays social football on weekends but refereeing would be a new thing.
Pepsi Zambia Account Executive Towela Banda said the minister would officiate a match to be played by musical and football celebrities with proceeds from the game going to a charitable cause.
She said celebrities will include Kalenga Kamwendo, Magg 44, Abel Chungu, Willz, Daxon Ma Africa, Kachanana and Cleo ‘Ice-queen’ among others.
“A lot of celebrities will take part in the game in which the Minister will referee and we shall have good day with these artistes and other footballers that will be present,” she said.
She said the YCC was meant to create a platform for young talented footballers to express themselves and potentially be scouted for better prospects.
“The aim of the YCC is create a platform for young talented footballer so as they express themselves and be scouted and get to play in the Zambia premier league,” she said.
Pepsi Zambia has partnered with Grassroot Soccer, a sports organisation that promotes township football and would give out prizes to deserving winners as well as other participants.