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GOVERNMENT has called on the corporate world to come on board and help charter planes to Ghana to send a larger contingent of fans to Kumasi to cheer the Chipolopolo as they take on the Black Stars in the decisive Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Group D qualifier this Friday.
Meanwhile, Government has urged the national team to ensure that they beat Ghana and advance to the final round of qualifiers and keep alive Zambia’s dream of a maiden World Cup appearance.
Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili said while some companies had assisted to charter a plane for the national soccer team, there was need for the remaining entities to help Government raise the required US$ 200,000 (about K1 100 000) – US$ 300,000 (about K1, 650, 000) to charter a plane for the fans.
Kambwili said in an interview yesterday that Government did not have the kind of money to charter a plane and commended Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), Lumwana Copper Mines (LCM), First Quantum Minerals (FQM), Zambezi Portland, Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC), Zamtel, Zesco, Indeni and Lamasat for coming on board to ensure an aircraft was secured for the team.
“We have written to other companies and we are still waiting for their response so that we can fly as many fans as possible into Kumasi.
“We have had a struggle to raise these funds, but I am one person who does not believe in failure once I start something. I am confident something will work out between today and Friday,” Kambwili said.
The minister named the companies that had been approached as Lawrence Sikutwa and Associates Group, Zambian Breweries, Airtel Zambia, MTN Zambia, MultiChoice Zambia and a number of banks; among them Stanbic, Standard Chartered and ZANACO.
He was confident that the remaining companies would come forward and help Government send fans to Ghana because of the significance of the match that needed the support of the fans for the team to deliver the result.
Kambwili urged the players to remain patriotic and committed towards national duty, saying they must consider it as a privilege to don the national jersey.
“As Government we have no doubt that Ghana will fall but the onus will be on the players to die a little for mother Zambia. They must realise the mission at hand and also that they hold the emotions of the Zambians, come Friday,” he said.
