Zambia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Andrew Banda, has announced plans to establish a football development partnership between Zambia and South Korea aimed at nurturing young talent and strengthening sports development in the country.
Speaking during a briefing in Chipata, Ambassador Banda said discussions were underway with a South Korean football club linked to Hyundai to support the establishment of football academies and exchange programmes for young players and coaches.
The Ambassador said the initiative seeks to identify talented young footballers and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills through structured training programmes.
“We want to produce more players who can compete at the highest level. There is abundant talent in Zambia, particularly in Eastern Province, and we need to create pathways that will help young people realise their potential,” he said.
Banda explained that the proposed partnership would focus on grassroots football development, including the establishment of academies where young athletes can receive both education and professional football training.
He urged football administrators in the province to identify promising young coaches who could participate in exchange programmes with South Korean institutions as part of a pilot project expected to begin in Eastern Province.
The Ambassador said South Korea’s success in sports and economic development offers valuable lessons for Zambia, noting that the Asian nation invested heavily in education, discipline and skills development to transform its economy.
Banda also highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Zambia and South Korea through increased trade, investment and cultural exchanges.
He expressed optimism that South Korea would eventually establish a diplomatic mission in Zambia, a move he said would facilitate closer cooperation between the two countries.
Reflecting on the legacy of his late father, former President Rupiah Bwezani Banda, Ambassador Banda said he was inspired to continue supporting youth development and football, areas that were close to the former Head of State’s heart.
He called on young people to take advantage of opportunities in sports and education, stressing that talent development can play a significant role in improving livelihoods and contributing to national development.
The Ambassador further encouraged Zambians to embrace hard work and innovation, saying the country’s future depended on investing in its youth and creating opportunities that would enable them to thrive both locally and internationally.
And Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Eastern Province Chairperson Patrick Nyirenda has hailed the proposed partnership between Eastern Province football and South Korean stakeholders as a significant step towards transforming the sport in the region.
Speaking during a meeting hosted by Ambassador Banda, Nyirenda said the collaboration presents an opportunity to strengthen football infrastructure, enhance technical expertise and improve talent development pathways for young players in the province.
Nyirenda expressed gratitude to Ambassador Banda for championing the initiative, describing it as a long-awaited opportunity for Eastern Province to establish meaningful partnerships with a country renowned for its football development and sporting excellence.
“This is the chance that we have always wanted so that we can collaborate with developed jurisdictions that can help us improve our capacity, infrastructure and technical ability to nurture the abundant talent we have in Eastern Province,”he said.
The FAZ official pledged the association’s full commitment to ensuring that players, coaches and other football stakeholders benefit from the proposed exchanges and development programmes.
He added that the province was ready to work with South Korean partners in areas such as equipment provision, coaching development, technology transfer and infrastructure enhancement.
Nyirenda said the partnership could position Eastern Province as a model for football development in Zambia, with lessons and benefits eventually extending to other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the FAZ provincial chairperson announced that this year’s Community Shield match will be held in honour of former President Edgar Lungu.
The charity event, to be known as the “Edgar Community Shield,” will raise funds for a charitable cause to be selected by Ambassador Banda and the former Head of State’s family.
He noted that football has a responsibility to contribute to community development and social welfare, adding that proceeds from the annual match will support vulnerable groups and community projects.
Nyirenda also appealed for support from corporate partners, including South Korean companies, to assist local clubs with equipment, transport and modern sports technology needed to improve performance and player development.
He expressed confidence that the planned partnership would help nurture future stars capable of following in the footsteps of Zambia women’s national team captain Barbara Banda and other successful Zambian footballers.
“We are ready to do our part to ensure that these efforts lay a strong foundation for the future of football in Eastern Province and Zambia as a whole,” Nyirenda said.
