Managing Director’s remarks on the launch of CEC Futsal facilities

The Chairman- Non-Core Assets

Members of the Executive Management Team

The Chairman, MUZ Branch and Executive Members

Fellow CEC employees

Ladies and Gentlemen

I take pleasure in joining you today to officially launch the long-awaited Futsal facilities here at the Ravens Country Club grounds. Our Company’s commitment to the health and social wellbeing of its employees and the community is undoubted, and today’s launch of this facility is another milestone in the Company’s investment in our wellbeing.

The futsal pitches are a welcome addition to an array of already existing health and fitness facilities provided by CEC; namely, the Ravens Gymnasium, Olympic-size swimming pool, golf course, tennis, and squash courts. This narrative is obviously not complete without acknowledging CEC’s continued sponsorship of Power Dynamos FC and its reserve clubs, Young Power and the Power Academy.

Futsal has rapidly risen in popularity, in Zambia and elsewhere. It is a dynamic and extremely entertaining, five-aside version of football. It is predominantly played as an indoor game and is gaining levels of competition comparable to other more long-established sports.

The first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup was held in 1989 in the Netherlands and was won by Brazil. At the last Futsal World Cup held in Lithuania in 2021, three African teams took part. CEC’s investment in these facilities, therefore, is a big step in contributing to the further development of the sport in Zambia.

Perhaps, someday soon, with these facilities in our backyard, CEC could field a competitive side! And I anticipate that before long, Zambia will send a team to the Futsal World Cup! Currently, the game enjoys wide patronage mainly in and around Lusaka, where the Futsal league has been activated. I am advised that Kitwe so far has one team in the league and as CEC, we are determined to make futsal big in the Copperbelt as well because with facilities such as these, the number of teams from the Copperbelt should increase; which will culminate in increasing competition and strengthening the national team.
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And for us in CEC, these facilities should also help us to interact with each other informally and socially. That is another integral part of attaining the necessary work-life balance.

I encourage staff to be active physically, and make use of not just the futsal facility but the wide range of sporting facilities available here. I urge you to guard these assets from damage and abuse. Let us use the facilities well, and they will serve us for many years.

Please enjoy the pitches and all the other facilities here. Keep fit and active…and for today, witness the demolition of the madalas side by the well-drilled management team!

I thank you.