The Government Commits to Promoting Rugby in Kitwe

Rugby is losing popularity in Zambia because of a lack of financial support. On Sunday, December 9, Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza attended the official opening of the Falcons 10-Aside Youth Rugby Tournament in Kitwe, calling on the district's youth to take the sport seriously.

Mr Mwanza has pledged to support rugby's growth in the district. Speaking during the tournament, the Kitwe District Commissioner said, “The government will support every sport where people benefit physically and mentally. Our children stay away from the abuse of drugs when we keep them in [the sport]; we have no option but to support this sport. 

“The big challenge is that we are nurturing many of these players, but many players have been poached to the midlands from the Copperbelt because our youths are not given the same opportunities here,” continued the District Commissioner.

Mwanza told the local attendees that the government treats every sports discipline as important and will ensure rugby becomes a sport that many young people will enjoy. Mwanza, a former rugby player himself, spoke about some of rugby’s important life lessons, such as the value of hard work, dedication and supporting one another. 

Falcons Founder and Coach Dean Zulu thanked the government for supporting rugby's growth in the district. Zulu added that the “tournament was started as a way of growing the sport of rugby here on the Copperbelt; at the moment, the competition in our province has reduced.”