Calling it quit due to lack of sponsorship

Epah calls time on career 
October 7, 2012
DIANA MUTAKAFIMBO and ROBINSON KUNDA report:

DESPITE being crowned 2011 sportswoman-of-the-year, Epah Tembo has quit international chess, citing lack of sponsorship.

And Vice-President Guy Scott has pledged Government’s continued support to sport and that he will help in efforts to get a sponsor for the revived sports awards.

Tembo, who beat two other nominees jostling for the prestigious award, said she was humbled by the recognition as Zambia best sportswomen for 2011 but that she would not continue participating in international championships.

She announced her decision to quit shortly after receiving the award on Friday night at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Tembo beat under-20 national women’s soccer team midfielder Mupopo Kabange and judoka Esther Sando to get the top prize.

“I am very happy to win the prize. I am speechless…because I know that there are so many people who were vying for the prize but there can only be one winner and that was me. For that privilege I must say I am very happy but I am quitting representing the country.” she said.

Tembo, however, said she will continue playing local tournaments just for the love of the game.

The 18-year-old Tembo said she has been playing chess competitively for the past 10 years and that she has made an informed decision.

She said she wants to concentrate on her studies because chess is not the sport she can make a living from in Zambia because of lack of sponsorship.

“I have been qualifying for several international tournaments since 2004 but I have only managed to participate in two. I could have had a better title by this time but because of lack of sponsorship I have not been able to travel. You get to travel here and there for little allowances and that’s because I love the game, maybe I may come back,” she said.

Sportsman-of-the-year Daniel Jere said he worked hard last year and deserved the prize.

“I am very happy and encouraged. I worked very hard last year winning almost every tournament. I am happy that my effort has been recognised although I never realised that what I was doing was being noticed,” he said.

Jere encouraged his colleagues from other sports disciplines not to relent but to continue working hard.

Junior sportswoman-of-the-year Davinshi Naik said she was not expecting to win the award because golf is regarded as a minor sport.

“I was exactly not expecting it because golf is not really recognised. I hope people will now recognise golf,” she said.

The junior golf team is next week expected to participate in an international tournament in Uganda.

Coach-of-the-year Keagan Mumba said the gesture will encourage him to continue working hard.

“I thank God for the award and I give credit to players, officials and all the clubs I have handled over the years. I thank FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya, who has been instrumental in my career and I also thank my friends and family who have encouraged and supported me,” said Mumba, the under-20 national soccer team and Zanaco coach.

Meanwhile, Scott said he will try to solicit for financial support for sport from the corporate world.

Scott said sport has power to unite people and called for hard work among sports personalities if they are to succeed in their careers.

He hailed the NSCZ for initiating the idea of awarding sports personalities that bring glory to the country.

And acting Minister of Sport and Youth Yamfwa Mukanga commended the NSCZ for re-introducing the sports awards.

He said the awards will help reignite the spirit of competition among the sports personalities.

“I am happy that after about a decade since we last witnessed the sports awards by the National Sports Council of Zambia, the awards are indeed a reality today.

“It is my belief that the sports awards will ensure that sportsmen and women are reignited with a competitive spirit as well as provided with a platform and reason for competition and individual recognition,” he said.

He said he will work hard to ensure sports standards in the country are uplifted.

Full article here.