ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
Lusaka – Absa Bank Zambia PLC and the Football Association (FAZ) have today officially announced that the 2020 Absa Cup tournament that was scheduled to take off in March, has been deferred in the face of the escalating COVID-19 cases and will resume next year at dates to be announced.
Commenting on the development, Absa Bank Zambia PLC Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, Mato Shimabale said, “After taking into account the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have come to an amicable decision with the Football Association of Zambia that the cancellation of the tournament based on the current health concerns would be in the best interest of all stakeholders, particularly the players and team officials. As sponsors of the Absa Cup, we remain committed to sponsoring this tournament in line with our obligation to be a ‘Force for Good’ in the communities we operate in. We are fully committed in supporting the growth of Zambian football and the talent that we have among the youth in line with the Bank’s purpose of bringing possibilities to life”.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General Secretary, Mr Adrian Kashala said, “As the country’s football governing body, it is gratifying that partners like Absa continue to commit to the development of Zambian football particularly during these challenging and unprecedented times. While the cancellation of the tournament this year is disappointing to the football fans this is fully understood and supported as we observe the Covid-19 health and preventative guidelines. We look forward to a spectacular tournament next year.”
“Our commitment to the game of football remains unwavering and we will explore the option of having an extended tournament next year to include teams that qualified this year so they are not disadvantaged in any way. I would like to sincerely thank our partners namely the Sports and Health Ministries, FAZ and SuperSport for their continued support and cooperation in working with the Bank during this sponsorship” Mr Shimabale added
Absa is also the official African Banking Partner of the English Premier League that will be resuming in September 2020 and the Bank is pleased that this will provide sporting entertainment for local fans, particularity during this challenging period.
-End-
For further details, contact:
Banji Lufungulo Sydney Mungala Marketing/Communications Manager FAZ-Communications Manager
