UNITED LAUNCH WOMEN’S AWARDS AT COLOURFUL GALA DINNER

The 2022/23 Zambian league campaign may have ended trophyless for ZESCO United but that did not dissuade the club from adding another twist to their historical narrative of being trendsetters.

United’s historical style of winding-up every league season with a special ritual of awarding deserving players with various accolades was this time around executed with a deft touch which saw the launch of the women’s awards.

ZESCO Ndola Girls who secured a third-place finish in the 2022/23 Zambia Women’s league season were feted in the same manner that the United’s mens team has enjoyed in the past at every Players Awards Gala Dinner.

As Colins Sikombe and Kelvin Kapumbu received the Top Scorer and Player of the Year Awards respectively, the women’s category saw Melody Kipimpi, Charity Mulenga each emerge Player of the Year and Top Scorer.

Mukuka Chanda, Enock Sakala cantered away with the Most Consistent Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards respectively while Sikombe collected the Most Disciplined Player of the Year.

In the Women’s category, Avell Chitundu won the Most Consistent Player Award while Mable Bwalya bagged the Most Disciplined Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year Awards.

United management is resolved to offer equal opportunities to the women’s team as a sure way of promoting gender equality and women’s football.

 “This is the first time we are holding a combined Player Award Gala Dinner involving our men’s and women’s teams. This event speaks to our commitment as ZESCO United management towards ensuring that women like the men’s team, are given equal opportunities in the game.

“We want to provide them with the same spotlight and investment that the men’s game continues to receive at domestic and international stage,” says Muntanga Sibalwa, ZESCO United Executive Committee Member.

Speaking during the Players Awards Gala Dinner, ZESCO United Chairman, Maxwell Saya said, club management has taken to ensure that Women’s football is professionalized.

 “To improve team performance, we restructured and boosted the technical bench, we reinforced the team, we rejuvenated the spirit of team work and gathered the courage to dust ourselves and move forward.

“Furthermore, we have taken decisive steps to better organize the women’s team in a bid to improve professionalism in the management of its affairs and to position it for elevation into the international realm of football.”

Meanwhile ZESCO Ndola Girls Player of the Year, Melody Kipimpi has thanked club management for supporting the women’s team.

“I wish to thank ZESCO United management for recognizing our efforts as a team by introducing these awards. The introduction of the women’s award reflects the importance management attaches to the development of women’s football.

And Atlasmara acting Chief Executive Officer, Bobbline Cheembela says the bank announced the extension of the shirt sponsorship with ZESCO United to another season.

““As you may be aware, Atlas Mara is currently working on a merger with Access Bank and once the merger process is complete later this year the merged bank will be rebranded as Access Bank Zambia Limited. As part of the integration process, there is agreement that in order to create a much stronger merged bank, all the good things on the Atlas Mara side and on the Access Bankside will be adopted and I can assure you that the partnership with ZESCO United FC has been deemed as one of those good things that we would love to continue with.”

Gracing the event as guest of honour, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo commended ZESCO Limited and Atlasmara Bank for sustaining their support towards the development of football in the country.

Author: Desmond Katongo