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ww.daily-mail.co.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/14/13
Masumba consoles Kazembe over trip
By CECILIA ZULU
GOVERNMENT says it regrets that Zambia’s ace tennis player Edgar Kazembe travelled to Nairobi by road to compete in the Kenya Open without any support.
And Government has said all sports disciplines are equal and receive reasonable financial support.
Deputy Minister of Sport Stephen Masumba said this yesterday when he met Kazembe in Lusaka.
Masumba said the ministry learnt with sadness that Kazembe travelled to Kenya by road last month to defend the Kenya Open title.
Masumba said this has deeply affected Government.
Kazembe travelled to Kenya by road without clearance by the National Sports Council of Zambia and without financial support.
“We learnt about your trip with sadness. If you had approached us, we could have done something to provide something towards your trip. I could have sacrificed even from my own pockets to facilitate your trip.
“Even the minister [Chishimba Kambwili] himself is not happy with the way you travelled. When you see that your association is doing nothing about your trip, rush to the ministry,” Masumba said.
He is glad that Kazembe performed fairly well, losing in the semi-finals.
“You represented us although somewhere you were frustrated. In future, don’t hesitate when it comes to such programmes. Approach us in good time so that we can see how we can plan and help you out as you compete in any international event. We will work in conformity.
Meanwhile, Masumba has said the ministry treats each sport equally.
“We do not segregate like it has been painted that we are only interested in supporting football. All sports disciplines are equal and we have to invest in all sports activities,” he said.
After the meeting, Masumba went in a closed door meeting with Kazembe who was in the company of his manager Bwalya Chiteba.
