KK leads AFCON fans

GOVERNMENT has picked

former President Dr Kenneth Kaunda to join the hundreds of Zambian envoys that travel to Gabon to attend the closing ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament where the Chipolopolo Boys will clash with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in Libreville, Gabon tomorrow. Dr Kaunda will join a horde of soccer fans that includes Vice President Dr. Guy Scott who is scheduled to travel to Libreville today to witness Zambia play Ivory Coast in an expected scintillating final. Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah said in statement released to the Times yesterday President Sata considered Dr Kaunda to be part of the team the travels to Gabon to go and support the national soccer team because he is the founding father of Zambia. Meanwhile, the President has expressed deep sorrow and profound grief on the loss of innocent lives arising from victory celebrations after the Chipolopolo boys defeated the Black Stars of Ghana to qualify for the final last Wednesday. The President has since urged the people of Zambia to celebrate responsibly and hoped that justice would be served in the trial of those arrested and charged for various offences after the accidents. The Head of State has directed the Zambia Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to be alert and ensure that law and order prevails during this period. And President Sata said there could be no better person to be part of the the team that travels to Libreville to support the team than Dr. Kaunda. Dr Kaunda carries a special place in Zambia’s soccer history because he was patron of the demised national soccer team of the April 28, 1993 Gabon air crash which was named the KK 11 after him. The entire national team, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and Government officials, the Zambia Air Force crew and a journalist were killed off the coast off Libreville in Gabon when they were on a mission to play Senegal in the qualifiers for the joint 1994 Africa and World Cup finals that were hosted in Tunisia and United States of America, respectively. President Sate decided on that accord that there could be no better person in Zambia to perform the role other than Dr Kaunda. “Our gallant boys need someone to motivate them and uplift their spirits even higher. Obviously, there can be no better person in Zambia today to perform this role other than our founding father, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda.” “It is for this reason that as a Government we find it appropriate and befitting that our beloved icon accompanies the Republican Vice-President and several Zambians to this historic occasion,” President Sata said. And the President has expressed deep sorrow and profound grief on the loss of innocent lives arising from victory celebrations after the Chipolopolo boys defeated the Black Stars of Ghana to qualify for the final last Wednesday. In his message of condolences, the President said it was truly regrettable that such distressing events occurred at a time when the entire country was engulfed into celebrations following the national soccer team’s victory over Ghana. “I am devastated to learn that during this joyous period we recorded a total of 32 accidents and out of the 32, four were grave in which seven lives were lost. A number of families have lost their beloved ones and there are no words to capture the magnitude of the calamity that has befallen the surviving family members,” “Let me encourage those affected that the people of Zambia join them in mourning their loved ones and our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We also remember the injured and all those traumatized by these terrible incidences. We pray that the Almighty God gives them comfort and fortitude,” the President said. Meanwhile, Cavmont Bank Plc and Investrust Bank have opened a Chipolopolo fundraising accounts for the national soccer team and also called on Zambians to help the bank raise the US$ 2.5 million towards the development of football and business in the country. Investrust Bank plc Media and public relations manager Ackim Mwale said in a statement that the back opened a ‘goodwill’ bank account number 11-07-1-0145077-013 for the national soccer team dubbed well played Chipolopolo in which soccer fans can deposit their contributions at the bank’s branches throughout the country, to acknowledge the teams’ recent success at the AFCON championship. Cavmont bank management said in a statement in Lusaka that US$ 2.5 million donation will be shared in four parts that include US$ 1 million to the Chipolopolo boys, the other million would be given to the Football Association of Zambia for the development of soccer. All donations should be donated in the account number 20 00 00 120 858 Cavmont Makumbi branch in an ordinary savings account. In a related development, Zambian Lotto and New Horizons Printing Press yesterday donated K25 million each to the national soccer team in line with President Sata’s call on companies and individuals to support the national soccer team. New Horizons Printing Press managing director Shawky Hemeidan presented the cheque for his company while marketing and human resource manager Chilufya Sata-Sichinga presented on behalf of sister company Zambian Lotto during a ceremony held at Football House in Lusaka yesterday. Hemeidan, who is also Zambian Lotto Chief Executive Officer, said the donation followed the national soccer team impressive show at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition. And Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) spokesperson Smart Mwitwa who represented Government commended the two companies for quickly responding to President Sata’s call to donate money as a way of motivating the national soccer team. Mwitwa, who is in-charge of football at the SCZ, threw out a passionate appeal to other companies to come forth and donate whatever they could and help inspire the team to win the Africa Cup. Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) acting general secretary Julio Chiluba thanked the companies for their donations saying it was the thought that counts not the actual money involved.