Provincial federation representatives and athletes have staged a protest at OYDC Zambia Sports Development Centre, refusing to participate in scheduled football matches until severe organizational failures and deplorable living conditions are addressed.
Officials have confirmed that the decision to boycott games has been driven by the athletes themselves, who had been left too tired, hungry, and thirsty to compete.
They say players had been denied proper sleep, having been fed as late as 1 AM and then expected to play matches at 9 AM without breakfast.
Female athletes, numbering over 400, had also been particularly impacted, having been forced to share one toilet, sleep on classroom desks and floors without blankets, and bathe outside at night due to the absence of running water and proper facilities.
No sanitary provisions had been made available to the girls.
Provincial executive committee members reported having been left without accommodation, having been forced to squat with relatives since arriving on Monday. Players have competed without access to water, and teams have been required to provide their own jerseys.
Food service had been described as chaotic, with over 2,000 participants having been expected to eat from one point, with meals having been delayed until the early morning hours.
On Tuesday, Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts apologized to the athletes for these poor conditions, and said instructions were given for them to be resolved.
By Canaan Siame
