A renowned soccer fan in Senga Hill, Christopher Sichangwa has appealed to Football Association of Zambia ( FAZ ) to consider training match officials in rural areas so that required standards are met.
Sichangwa notes that many instances match officials in rural areas struggle to meet the laid down standards by FAZ due to a lack of exposure.
He therefore suggests to the Kamanga led FAZ Executive to come up with a deliberate programme of not only build capacity among referees but exposure of rural based administrators.
ZANIS sports reports that in a post – match interview between Riverside Football Club beat Mambwe Mission yesterday, Sichangwa indicated that trained match officials are key in promoting sports, which provides entertainment to the masses.
“ Communities in the area have organised themselves by forming clubs where they compete against each other.
“ A number of communities here are promoting sports development to help keep fit and also as an opportunity to build a career but lack exposure,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from FAZ Secretary General Kamanga were unsuccessful by broadcast time as he was unreachable on his mobile phone
And Riverside football club coach Webby Kuteya appealed for support so that football could become as competitive and entertaining in rural areas.
Kuteya says by sponsoring soccer in rural areas like Senga Hill, it will take football to another level as it will not only be a form of entertainment but create employment and businesses.
He used the opportunity to appeal to well-wishers to support his team with football jerseys and boots , among others , saying with this available it will motivate his team.
His Skipper, Clinton Simukazye in a separate interview said football plays a very critical role in shaping the minds of youths in various communities.
Simukazye further appealed to government through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to consider constructing social amenities for the people in the area.
The game saw Riverside Football Club beat Mambwe Mission by two goals to nill.
