Tax rebates for organisations that support sports – Chishimba Kambwili

Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili said in Lusaka on Monday that companies were sacrificing a lot to contribute money and even material support into sports and there was need to encourage them to continue doing so.

Kambwili said his ministry appreciated the support rendered to sports by such organisations adding that Government alone could not manage to do everything but needed the support of the corporate world.

“It is for this reason that we as Government have decided to work out a policy that will give tax rebates to companies that have taken it upon themselves to contribute towards the development of sports in the country,” he said.

He said this would also persuade others who probably did not think supporting sports activities was a good idea to start doing so because they will also want to reap into the benefits that would come with the gesture.

He called on those organisations that have been offering financial support to sports not to relent but to continue doing so, saying their gesture was helping to develop the lives of the people who were involved in sports and in turn contributing to the development of the country.

Meanwhile, Kambwili directed all District Councils in the country to establish boxing associations that will help to nurture the boxing talent in young boys and girls before they can move on to professional boxing.

Kambwili said it was only through such establishments that young people were going to be exposed to the sport at an early age hence giving them enough time to work on and perfect their talent.

He said through the Government’s decentralisation of power it would employ Sports officers at all district councils who would be working with the young girls and boys to ensure that they were learning the right things.

“As a Government we will make sure that there is enough money to support this cause. It will not only be aimed at developing boxing but also helping to keep young people off the bad vices that are found in communities,” he said.

The minister said the programme would also be part of the community sports initiative that his ministry planned to embark on next year.