By GWEN CHIPASULA –
THE hosting of the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Africa Under-20 championship will gobble up to K25 million of State and corporate entities’ monies.
This was revealed on Thursday evening as Sports Minister Moses Mawere was officially launching activities leading to the hosting of the tournament in February next year.
And   from    that, Government says K5 million will go towards rehabilitations to National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Mawere said during a press briefing at the Ministry offices that Government is excited that Zambia will host this continental football tournament for the first time.
A local organising committee chaired by FAZ president Andrew Kamanga was put in place to oversee the preparations and ensure a successful hosting of this event.
The minister said preparations have reached an advanced stage with the Under-20 team already preparing for this tournament as they are taking part at the Council for Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) junior tournament.
“In terms of preparedness, we have reached an advanced stage. FAZ has even gone as far as organising a camping trip to Europe for the boys,” Mawere said.
Mawere has also appealed to the Zambian people to support this event which has been set for Lusaka and Ndola.
He said it was his hope that this event makes the country benefit in all sectors as it will attract a lot of tourists during that period.
And FAZ treasurer Rix Mweemba confirmed that the K5 million first allocation was to go to the rehabilitation of the Heroes Stadium and that Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola was in good shape and only needed proper maintenance of the turf.
Zambia has been drawn in Group A with Guinea, Mali and Egypt at the continental junior tournament, which will run from February 26 to March 12.