KCM PLEDGES ZMW93 MILLION FOR FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

KCM PLEDGES ZMW93 MILLION FOR FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has pledged ZMW93 million (US$5 million) over the next five years to support football development in Zambia through a partnership with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). The sponsorship will support both men's and women's national teams, making KCM FAZ's Official Partner and the country's largest corporate sponsor of football.

The five-year agreement expands KCM's support beyond the Copper Queens to include football competitions across the country. As part of the partnership, KCM will become the title sponsor of the KCM FAZ Cup. KCM Board Chairman Dr Moses Banda said the sponsorship reflects the company's commitment to investing in young talent, national pride and community wellbeing through football.

FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya welcomed the partnership, describing it as a major boost for football at national and club level. He said the sponsorship will strengthen the growth of the game, improve competitiveness and create opportunities for players, coaches and supporters across the country.

KCM currently invests more than US$7 million annually in sports development and sponsors Nchanga Rangers FC, Konkola Blades FC, Nampundwe United FC and Aguila Stars FC. The company says its support has helped develop players such as Copper Queens star Rachel Kundananji and builds on its long history of supporting Zambian football, including sponsorship of the KCM League and the national team's preparations before the country's 2012 AFCON triumph.