Tennis star Roger Federer says he is happy to be in Zambia away from his usual tennis tours.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner arrived in the country on Sunday to check on his foundation, which operates in the rural parts of Zambia.
Federer called on President Edgar Lungu at State House upon arrival on Sunday.
The Roger Federer Foundation (RFF), which aims to provide equitable access to quality basic education to children, began its work in Zambia in partnership with People’s Action Forum (PAF) in August 2011.
In 2011, the Roger Federer Foundation launched a community school initiative in rural areas of Zambia together with the local partner organization People’s Action Forum (PAF).
According to the Foundation’s website, as the Zambian government often cannot make education available to the people in these areas, the communities themselves established and community schools.
The aim of the initiative is to support and strengthen these primary schools.
The Board of the Roger Federer Foundation has approved a total budget of 1.6 million Swiss Franc for this purpose.
The programme has reached 85,000 children in total so far.
People’s Action Forum (PAF), a non-governmental, national non-profit organization, was founded in Zambia in 1994.
The PAF´s vision is a peaceful community in which the rural as well as the urban population are able to develop equally and sustainably. In order to strengthen the rural communities the PAF´s activities focus on the five priorities education, food security, health, economic opportunities and awareness raising. PAF particularly works with children and women in rural areas in order to help them achieve self-determined living conditions.
The forum has over 2000 members who support the organisation’s goals on a voluntary basis.
In 2008 PAF was awarded the renowned International UNESCO Literacy Award.
Hmm. This president has time. Why can this tennis player be hosted by the Minister of Sports and Development. It seems everything is hosted by the president.
Never heard him.
Who is he in three words ?
Thanks
BB2014,2016
@ True Zambian and Mushota you are both ID.IOTS
Hopefull Roger had done due diligence and that donation will not end up in PF coffers. That said Rogers is the best tennis player of all time and I am privileged to have watched him play
Shocker!! Mushota’s comment made me laugh for the first time ever! Great achievement! Kudos! Bloggers don’t it too seriously. Those six ‘thumbs down’? Please. This is tongue in cheek.
This is admirable on so many levels.Firstly he quietly started this project 6 years ago and after reaching 85 000 he shows up.Our politicians/celebrities start making noise about projects even before a single person been reached and the projects never take off. Secondly, it’s admirable that Roger Federer is using his fame and platform to help economically disadvantaged women and children in rural areas in a country that is not so well known abroad. I hope I can do what he is doing one day.Thumbs up
He is a Federer, same as Serena William is Zambia, he deserve a state house visit.
EVEN HERE THE QUEEN HOSTS SPORTS MEN AND WOMEN, MWILABEPA BANTU IWE.
Am sure the dull Lazy Lungu showed him that stuffed lion in State House…in this day and age of sustainable tourism he thinks showing people dead animals is fashionable.
THIS IS WHAT IS CALLED PROFESSIONAL REPORTING BY ZAMBIA DAILY MAIL:
“STEVEN MVULA, Lusaka
TENNIS icon Roger Federer is in Zambia not to play the high-octane matches as he does the Wimbledon and Paris Masters but for a totally different reason – charity.
Federer watched yesterday as President Edgar Lungu – his host at State House – demonstrated some latent skill in tennis.
The celebrated Swiss sportsman handed President Lungu a tennis racket while telling him how he is using sport to improve early childhood education”
@Mushota has no traceable memory, small head small brain.
,@Jay Jay
FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH YOUR MISERABLE LIFE THAN CONTINUOUSLY INSULT OUR PRESIDENT.
One politrician claims to be richer than rich yet his money just goes to idols.
COME 2021 VOTE RODGER FEDERER
ECL is not my favourite person but meeting Rodger Federer is worth the meeting. He is here not on a sports mission but to help vulnerable Zambians
So 1.6 million francs almost equivalent to one FIRE TRUCK can educate over 85,000 of our rural kids? we should really be ashamed of our selves that we cant take care of our own children and we rely on other people to address our poverty. Any ways I know we take pride in our POVERTY so the shame is gone…. Nice work Roger…
PARADISE ANALYTICA – Please point to me where I have insulted Lazy Lungu?
So he’s in Zambia bcuz of our poverty ? I wish he’d come for tourism ,to play tennis or for investment opportunity.
The man is here to check on his charity works and we have a problem with that, while he’s helping our poor brothers in rural areas? I thought that’s a noble cause.
The only problem we have is lungu and his gang of overpaid theives diverting money from education so they live a luxury free no bills life while aid foundations have to plug the gaps they make….
Spaka like lilo
KEEP YOUR HATEFUL COMMENTS TO YOURSELF.
TALK ABOUT FEDERER THE GOAT AND HIS BENEVOLENCE
IF ONE IS UPND THEY WOULDN’T SEE ANY NOBLE ELEMENT IN WHAT Roger Federer IS DOING IN ZAMBIA. IF YOU ARE UPND YOU OPPOSE ANYTHING. ELO ELENYA YOU ARE OPPOSING MATUVI KUCHOKA. DON’T YOU THINK Roger Federer CAN ALSO PROMOTE AND INSPIRE KIDS THROUGH THESE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS HE IS PLAYING A PART TO CONSTRUCT?
I don’t know if Roger FEDERER will read LT while in Zambia but please somebody pass this message to him.
My family reveres you. When my wife saw you last night on TV she complained why she was not told as she would have been in Lusaka to meet you. She only watches you and Serena Williams play tennis. As for me I never want to see you lose and so I record your matches and only watch them when you’ve won!!
We love you because of your beautiful, elegant flawless style and genius on the tennis court. YOU are the GOAT (Greatest of all time, for the uninitiated).
And now you are using your wealth to help the less fortunate. GOD BLESS YOU.
In our home you’ll always be Number 1.
Roger is a good boy; a gentleman; he is my favourite tennis player; Zambia is blessed to have his charity work support his charity work in Zambia; encourage him to visit Vic falls; South Luanga National park; Lower Zambezi; welcome my young man Roger; and come back again;
Roger has a big heart to uplift our children who are denied education by our inept and corrupt government. He is also doing a lot for sections of communities and disadvantaged children in South Africa. We should be applauding his efforts for his charity work. In tennis he is my idol and the best in the world. Way to go Roger.
It’s not good time to see the president because HH will just add you to the list of people who made him lose the election. Anyway welcome to sunny Zambia.
Here is a similar scenario. You are failing to feeding your children. Another man is feeding your children. Do you proudly parade that man so that the whole world can see that you are failing to feed your children?
You don’t make sense at all.
Such a comment can only come from someone who has no single clue about charity. Mulejoinako Lions, Rotary and other benevolent organizations then you will appreciate Roger’s philanthropy agenda.
People like “Barabus” are the reasons why white people will always look down at on African. How do you fail to take care of our children and celebrate Philanthropy agendas.
Welcome to Zambia Rodger and thank you for choosing this country. You are indeed great not only in your performances on the court but even in your heart. You could have chosen to go to South Africa where your mother comes from but you chose to come here. Enjoy your stay.
A top 100 person on the most influential people in the World deserves an audience with every President in the World. The rub off goes a long way for all our good.
I like this guy, given so much from is on pocket to people that he doesn’t share same ancestry and he doesn’t demand is portrayed be shown anywhere.
Great man and iconic figure to have graced tennis, well done Mr Federer, noble man.
Why do Hakaindeans have to politicize everything. Even the USA president receives donors for various charities. Zambia is not only country that has underprivileged persons. I’m sure one big reason we’ve not developed is because people go to school to learn how to hate and insult using English.
It is not only Hakainde, most politicians do politicize donations, Edgar Lungu not long ago donated exercise books branded with his portrait to the vulnerable.
This is good for Zambian Tennis. During the days of ZCCM, we had the Kangwa boys, Simunyola, Mambo Ndhlovu etc as the pride of Zambian Tennis. Welcome to Zambia Roger.
The good ol days…
@1.8 Jay Jay Looool…true though!
Won’t there be a meet Rodger. Somewhere, Ba Sports Council!!!!!!!!!! Despite him being on a private visit. I loved watching tennis until the Spaniard brought violent tennis. Rodger, Sampras and the other UK guy the play Tennis as a sport. Good to know you are ZED.
I have been a faithful supporter of Andy Murray for the past five years but as from today I am for Roger Federer, he is a true humanist. On a lighter note, he has two sets of twins, the first set is of girls and second set is boys, how lovely.
He is sponsored by the Organisation ..its called PR, he didnt just work in his mansion in Zurich ans say he wants to fly to Lusaka to see the beautiful country called Zambia
I trust hh will write to ITF to complain why RF didn’t call on Upnd
Latest news says the lazybum polygamist father who produced the chief hooligan and bully of the tribal party never went to school!
Welcome Roger! What a selfless man! I wish all people were like you but all they do is stuck money in Panama, get all the land from Namwala and steal from Privatization funds!