“CHAMBISHI VIABLE FOR COPPERBELT RUGBY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE” By Ackim Mwale ZRU PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ON MY TRAIL to have an on-site appreciation of our rugby clubs from Kabwe to Chililabombwe last weekend, I was heartbroken when I visited Chambishi. This is a club at which I played in the then ZRFU League. It was a fun club to go to but what obtains there now gives me even more motivation to take the Presidency of ZRU and reshape matters. The Club Chairman Keegan Chibuye was kind enough to leave his busy schedule at work to take me to the club and show me the state of the place. If you compare what is on the ground and the surrounding development in the area you’d wonder whether the six leading companies that operate in Chambishi actually have CSR policies in place! The pitch has footpaths running across in all directions. Just to erect a fence around it would bring that to an end. There must be loads of industrial water in the area which could be channeled to the pitch to make it greener. The clubhouse is in a state of disrepair. The change room not what you’d expect. Despite these very serious challenges, Keegan has kept rugby running and should be applauded. He has some junior rugby going and his regular team still turns up despite all these hitches. I want to work towards making Chamibishi a rugby development centre for the Copperbelt. The location is surrounded by other mining towns such as Chililabombwe, Chingola, Chibuluma, Kitwe and Mufulira (Luanshya and Ndola could also be drawn in with proper logistics in place). In my strategic rugby growth and deepening programme I will push for this centre to be developed. I will collaborate with all rugby stakeholders. People that have had the heart for rugby will not be side lined thus my team to spearhead this project will be drawn from past Presidents and other ZRU office bearers. This development committee will come up with a business plan that will be sold to both local and international investors. Chambishi has six leading companies in the name of Chambishi Metals, NFC Mining Plc, Chambishi Copper Smelter, Dyno Nobel, JCHX Mining & Construction and Sino Metals Leach. I strongly believe that if they are presented with a well thought out plan they’d be willing to make an investment to start the ball rolling. My trail started in Kabwe where I met officials from Green Eagles, Prisons, Coaches and Referees Associations. From the deliberations, I could tell that the love for the sport has not waned despite the many problems that have dogged the Union. We are all talking the same language - “Rugby Development”. Coaching and refereeing standards propped up. I clearly articulated my vision at all clubs visited and I think people know what they want and what they would like to see happen in Zambian Rugby…, upward trajectory. The competition calendar must be re-ignited with proper scheduling and planning around available resources and national or continental commitments. Strategies I’ll drive to implement will be subject to regular review at meetings where all clubs will be represented…, if workable quarterly. My visit took me to Chililabombwe, Chingola (Nchanga), Chambishi, Chibuluma, Luanshya (Roan) Mufulira, Kitwe (Diggers. KPF) and Ndola. Roan Rugby Club is on the path of resuscitation, thanks to Chairman Paul Mpabalwani and Secretary Sipo Kalela. I see Roan coming back to what it used to be and they will get my full support. I take this opportunity to thank all club officials for receiving me warmly. Let’s work together and make this “rugby family” one that will be viewed with pride as it will be a transparent unit with well established structures to receive funding. Sponsors and funders should not feel theyre putting money into a “dark hole” as one of my advisers said yesterday. Let’s Move!
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:59:46 +0000
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