A top South Korean football club, Hyundai FC, plans a partnered with the Football Association of Zambia to support the development of football in the country, starting with Eastern Province.
Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda announced the partnership during a joint press briefing with Eastern Province FAZ Executive led by Eastern FAZ Chairperson Patrick Nyirenda.
Ambassador Banda says the initiative will commence with the Eastern region before expanding to other provinces.
Under this partnership development, infrastructure, exchange programmes, provission of kits will crucial to ensure nurturing of grass root football.
Ambassador described the partnership as a continuation of his late father President Rupiah Banda’s legacy of showcasing Zambian football talent to the international community.
The collaboration will focus on exchange visits, provision of kits, technology aid and talent identification.
Eastern Province Football Association of Zambia FAZ Chairperson Patrick Nyirenda hailed the initiative as a long-awaited opportunity to collaborate with a developed football jurisdiction.
Hyundai FC, based in Ulsan, competes in South Korea’s top-tier K-League One and has produced global stars including Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, who went on to play for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
Nyirenda also revealed that the forthcoming Community Shield match will be renamed the Rupiah Banda Charity Shield, with the Banda family deciding which charity institution will benefit from the proceeds.
By Samuel Khwawe
