By MICHAEL MIYOBA
GOVERNMENT has described the exhibition match involving Barcelona Legends and Chipolopolo legends as a success.
Zambians filled the 60,000-seater National Heroes Stadium to capacity on May 25 to watch Barcelona legends led by Ronaldinho while the Chipolopolo legends squad consisted of the 2012 AFCON winning stars led by Zambian football icon Kalusha Bwalya.
Ministry of Sports Youth and Arts Permanent Secretary Kangwa Chileshe said the objectives of the project which was meant to market the country’s tourism potential were achieved.
Chileshe said this was to ignite interest of the world visiting Zambia as a preferred tourist destination and demonstrating that sports projects could lead to generation of revenue which could be channeled to various projects of national development to reduce pressure on the national treasury.
“The exhibition match was a success and the objectives have been achieved. It was a unique experience which the country has never experienced and the project brought benefits to the country diversely,” Chileshe said.
He urged Zambians to learn from the project, noting that the ministry was determined to support youths with progressive ideas.
Meanwhile, Kings of Africa Sports Director Tichaona, Mahoni is proud that the two parties have birthed a successful partnership after the exhibition match which was watched by over one billion followers who watched the match streamed on Barcelona TV.
Mahoni said Zambia will experience better sporting events in the future after the organisers picked lessons from hosting the legendary match in Lusaka.
