MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
HANDBALL Association of Zambia (HAZ) has advised the new sports minister not to only focus attention to soccer alone but also to other sports disciplines in the nation.
HAZ president Bwalya Banda said the association welcomed minister’s appointment but wished to advise him not to only focus attention on football but all sports disciplines.
In an interview with the Sun sport in Lusaka yesterday, Banda assured his association was willing to support new Sports Minister, Emmanuel Mulenga, in developing sports in the country.
Banda, whose under 17 national girls’ team left for Guinea Conakry to participate in the ongoing IHF Handball Continental Tournament, said the association would be the first one to present a trophy to the new minister.
He said Zambia had many other disciplines with the potential and capability to bring glory to the nation aside from football.
“We welcome Honourable Emmanuel Mulenga to the Ministry of Sport, as Handball Association, we will work with you to develop sport but I think you should not just focus on football because there are so many sports disciplines that bring glory to Zambia,” he said.
“As a promise, we will be the first sports team to present a trophy to your office, that’s why we are going to Guinea Conakry so that we can win and bring medals to your office come next week,” said Banda.
Banda said that HAZ was moving in the right direction having being amongst the top 5 countries on the African continent and that his association would continue investing in the junior handball structures.
He however paid tribute to the former sports minister Moses Mawere who he said the association enjoyed a cordial working relationship with.
Banda thanked the National Sports Council of Zambia (NOSCZ) and Madison General for facilitating the under 17 girls team’s trip to Guinea Conakry to participate in a continental competition.
