President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to engage mining companies to increase investment in Zambian sport, saying the private sector must play a bigger role in developing the country’s sporting disciplines.

Hichilema said he would work with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to organise a meeting with mining houses to explore opportunities for increased financial support, drawing comparisons with the significant role mining companies played in the development of football in the past.

“This president, working with FAZ, will occasion a meeting to sit with the mine houses so that they put more money in our sports. And the president will use his little clout to make this happen,” Hichilema said.

He was speaking at State House when he hosted the Zambia Under-15 national team following their historic triumph in Tier B of the FIFA U-15 World Cup.

The President said the expansion of mining activities beyond the Copperbelt, particularly into North-Western, Central and Eastern provinces, presented an opportunity to broaden private-sector investment in sport.

He cited the growth of the mining sector in North-Western Province, the Kitumba project in Central Province and prospects of new mines in Eastern Province as opportunities that could help increase resources available for sports development.

Hichilema described sport as a major business that deserved greater investment and said the government would work towards ensuring that all sporting disciplines received adequate attention.

“Sport is a big business. This is not a Cinderella thing. It’s a big business. People make lots of money in sports,” he said.

The Head of State also pledged government support towards dismantling FAZ’s K140 million legacy debt but urged the association to improve its financial management and prioritise investment in player development.

“So yes, we’ll work together to dismantle the legacy debt, but we want to work with you to be more prudent and more focused in how you utilise resources,” he said.

Hichilema further pledged to support the commercialisation and branding of Zambian football, arguing that the game had significant potential to generate revenue.

HH applauds Zambia U-15

Meanwhile, the President congratulated the Junior Chipolopolo for their impressive campaign, which saw them defeat Portugal 5-2, come from two goals down to beat England 3-2 and overcome Senegal 4-3 in the semi-finals.

He described the achievement as historic, praising the players for their composure, character and tactical discipline against some of the world’s best young talents.

“What we are celebrating today is historic, truly history written, engraved in an indelible ink, meaning that nobody can ever rub it out. So thank you, congratulations to Junior Chipolopolo for this great achievement,” he said.

Hichilema also encouraged the players to remain in school, stressing that education would remain important even after their football careers.

“Just to encourage you young guys, stay in school. Just stay in school. Don’t walk out of school. That will be essential to you at some stage in your life. Now you are playing well, but later in life you need some skill also,” he said.

Earlier, team captain Simon Nyirenda thanked the President for hosting the team and acknowledged the contributions of FAZ, the technical bench, parents and guardians towards their success.

Nyirenda also appealed for more training facilities and proper playing grounds to help young footballers develop their talent.