Zambia to start hippo cull in May despite protests

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia will begin a planned cull of around 2,000 hippos in May, a senior government official said on Friday, reviving a measure put on hold two years earlier amid protests from animal rights activists. 

Zambia says its population of 12,200 hippos is too large for the water levels in the Luangwa river, where most of them live. The authorities say the river can only support around 5,000 of the animals and that relocating them would be too costly.

“The hippo culling will be done once the hunting season opens in May,” Tourism Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela told Reuters by phone. 

A contract for the cull was signed in 2015 but was put on hold for further discussion until the cabinet decided last October to revive it, Sikwela said. 

British wildlife charity Born Free, which led the campaign against the cull in 2016, says Zambia’s hippo population was far smaller than estimated. 

“The return of the cull is devastating news. Wild hippo numbers across Africa are under growing pressure.” Born Free said in a statement posted on its website last week. 

According to the charity, there are at most 130,000 wild hippos across the continent. - REUTERS

Tourism PS closes Ndola Casino

The Ministry of Tourism has closed Jacaranda Royal Casino in Ndola for operating illegally.

Tourism and arts permanent secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela has warned that his Ministry would not hesitate to close Casinos operating illegally in the country.

Speaking at his office on Thursday, Rev. Sikwela told Journalists that the Casino was served with the notice and purpose of closure prior to the operation.

And Rev Sikwela said the 20 per cent monthly service charge that casinos were paying to the tourism department will now be paid to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), according to a statement issued by tourism and arts public relations officer Sakabilo Kalembwe.

He urged casino operators to be in touch with the revenue authority for any clarifications on how to go about the payments at ZRA.

Zambia Cuts Power From World's Biggest Man-Made Reservoir

Zambia has reduced hydropower production at the Kariba Dam because of rapidly declining water levels at the world’s biggest man-made reservoir that straddles the border with Zimbabwe, the energy minister said.

“We have noted the poor water situation for the Zambezi system necessitating reduction in generation at Kariba,” Matthew Nkhuwa said, without providing further details. Water outflows through the turbines at Kariba, which shows how much power they’re producing, has been cut by 27 percent this month.

The dam has dropped to 43 percent of capacity from 85 percent in October, as inflows from the Zambezi River that feeds it dwindle. Flows at Victoria Falls about 120 kilometers (75 miles) upstream are less than half of what they were a year ago, and near a record low for this time of the year, according to data from the Zambezi River Authority, which manages the dam. Mines in Zambia, Africa’s second-biggest copper producer, account for more than half of electricity demand and any shortages could cut output of the metal.

The Kariba hydropower station is Zambia’s biggest electricity source, with capacity of 1,080 megawatts out of state-owned electricity supplier Zesco Ltd.’s total of 2,337 megawatts. The southern African nation suffered a power crisis with rolling blackouts lasting as long as 12 hours when Kariba’s water levels showed a similar drop in 2015.

‘Very Troubling’

Still, water supplies at other hydroelectric facilities in the country have been favorable, including at Kafue Gorge, the second-biggest power plant in Zambia, Nkhuwa said in reply to emailed questions. These will cover any shortages at Kariba, and the government doesn’t foresee power cuts as a result, he said.

The depletion of Kariba’s waters is “very troubling,” said Will Pearson, a director at U.S.-based advisory company Triskel.

“The levels at Kariba’s reservoir have fallen dramatically in recent months, and the situation will likely exacerbate,” he said by email. “Unlike Zambia’s last power crisis only three years ago, the ability to tap regional markets will be limited by the power shortage hitting South Africa and the arrears Zesco owes for previous emergency imports from Mozambique and to domestic suppliers.”

If there are extensive shortages, this could hit the mining industry and add to the likelihood of cuts to copper production this year, Pearson said. Companies including First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and Glencore Plc operate mines in Zambia. - Bloomberg 

The Kenyan women's national football team

Kenya Women's National football team 

The Kenyan women's national football team, the Harambee Starlets will now focus on their main match against Uganda on April 8 after finishing their international friendly matches.

The Kenyan team, which returned home on Tuesday morning from Lusaka, Zambia, are in high spirits after they crushed their hosts 3-0 on Sunday.

"You must appreciate the high standard of football in Zambia. They pushed us to the limit through the results don't reflect it. They have developed and made strides in women's football so this match was quite significant to us," said head coach Richard Kanyi.

"But I must thank my defence and whole team for playing as a unit. Their conviction is back and we want to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations again," Kanyi added.

Coach Kanyi used the Zambia tie to gauge some of the new blood he was drafted into the team, including Wincate Kaari and Vivian Nasaka who came in for striker Esse Akida and goalkeeper Vivian Akinyi, who are injured.

The Starlets will take a short rest and resume training on April 3 in Machakos.

Seven out of the 24 participating teams are expected to join hosts Ghana for the 13th edition of the continental showpiece scheduled for Nov. 17-Dec 1.

The women's football event will produce the African representatives for the FIFA Women's World Cup with the top three teams qualifying for France 2019. - Xinhua

France Vs Nigeria international friendly on Friday, April 6 at the Stade MMArena, Le Mans.

Super Falcons - Pic credit sportsration.com

The French women team has called up  Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain stars for their friendly against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

France will host the Super Falcons of Nigeria in an international friendly on Friday, April 6 at the Stade MMArena, Le Mans.

Head Coach has Corinne Diacre has called up 23 players to prosecute the friendly against the Falcons and later against Canada on Monday, April 9.

Diacre retains the 23 players that participated at the She Believes Cup and won a bronze medal.

A statement of the French Football Federation (FFF) website said, “coach Corinne Deacon summoned twenty-three players to play two international matches at the beginning of April in France. They will be gathered from April 2nd at CNF Clairefontaine.”

France is currently ranked fifth in the world while the Super Falcons are ranked 38th.

France Women's Team - Pic credit  clintgist.com

The last meeting between the Super Falcons and France was a group stage fixture at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany which Nigeria lost 1-0.

Goalkeepers: Karima Benameur, (Paris FC), Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon), Solène Durand (Guingamp)

Defenders: Julie Debever (Guingamp), Laura Georges (Bayern Munich), Sakina Karchaoui (Montpellier), Amel Majri (Lyon), Griedge Mbock Bathy (Lyon), Ève Périsset (Paris Saint-Germain), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Marion Torrent (Montpellier).

Midfielders: Charlotte Bilbault (Paris FC), Élise Bussaglia (Barcelona), Maéva Clemaron (FC Fleury 91), Aminata Diallo (Paris Saint-Germain), Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain), Amandine Henry (captain) (Lyon).

Forwards: Viviane Asseyi (Marseille), Valérie Gauvin (Montpellier), Eugénie Le Sommer (Lyon), Marie-Charlotte Leger (Montpellier), Ouleymata Sarr (Lille), Gaëtane Thiney (Paris FC).

Super Falcons team list for France friendly

Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke; Chiamaka Nnadozie

Defenders: Josephine Chukwunonye; Ngozi Ebere; Faith Ikidi; Ugo Njoku; Osinachi Ohale; Glory Ogbonna

Midfielders: Rita Chikwelu; Ngozi Okobi; Ini-Abasi Umotong; Ogonna Chukwudi

Forwards: Francisca Ordega; Desire Oparanozie; Courtney Dike; Esther Sunday; Anam Imo

Missing from the Super Falcons 17-woman list is reigning African Women’s Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala who was stopped by her club Dalian Quanjian. - Pulse Nigeria

37 Zambian athletes to compete at Gold Coast 2018

Photo Credit - www.embracing2018.com

Although Zambia joined the Commonwealth in 1964, it had already made its first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in 1954. 

Zambia’s first gold medal came at the Christchurch 1974 Commonwealth Games when Lotti Mwale won the men’s light middleweight division in boxing. Zambia won two bronze medals at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, in boxing and judo. 

The Zambia National Olympic Committee was formed in 1964 and is responsible for Zambia’s participation in the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.

A total of 37 athletes will represent Zambia at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. According to a final list released by the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), the athletes will compete in eight disciplines – swimming, badminton, table tennis, athletics, boxing, squash, rugby and bowling.

Team Zambia has a total of 10 female athletes
out its 39* representatives  - Source results.gc2018.com

The Zambian government is reported to have set aside a total of 1.6 million kwacha for the participation of athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. These are important games for Zambia as our rugby sevens team will be making its debut. The Commonwealth Games will be held from April 4 to 15. 

It has been reported that "over one million tickets have been sold and that, it is estimated the Games will attract 672,000 visitors."

The opening ceremony will start at 7:00pm Gold Coast time at the Carrara Stadium, that is normally used as a venue for Aussie rules football. The venue will host the athletics events during the Games. Australia is expected to spend around AUS$2bn (making it the most expensive games ever), on the games. It is the 5th time Australia is hosting this event. It is also a historic game as it is the first time women have the same number of events as men.

*The final list is reported to have 38 athletes. 

Sources: 

www.gc2018.com

www.daily-mail.co.zm

cnn.com

More about Zambian Sport

The Queen's Baton visits Zambia

Some of Zambia's reps at the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Tilka PALJK - Swimming [Photo Credit - amazonaws.com]

Rugby Sevens Team [Photo Credit - Zambia Sevens Twitter Account

Boxing - [Photo Credit - oydc.org.zm]

Benny Muziyo - Boxing [Photo Credit - cloudfront.net]

Ogar (left) and Evelyn SIAMUPANGILA - Badminton [Photo Credit - times.co.zm] 

Chongo Mulenga - Badminton [Photo Credit - www.badzine.net]

Sydney Siame - Athletics [Photo Credit - konbini.com]

Want to know more about Zambia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games? Click here

Germany and Spain qualify for Uruguay 2018

Germany and Spain qualify for Uruguay 2018

European duo won berths to FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 Germany and Spain will contest European final England or Finland will win final berth from the continent

Germany and Spain are the first two European nations to win berths to the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 after both countries advanced to the UEFA Women's U-17 Championship final in Lithuania.

Germany routed England 8-0 in the first semi-final, with Shekiera Martinez leading the way in the goals category with a hat-trick. Spain edged Finland 1-0 in the day's other semi-final thanks to Eva Maria Navarro's strike in the 52nd minute.

Hallo ihr #Finalistinnen - Ghanasoccernet.com

Read More Women in Sports Posts from our BLOG 

A Zambian specialised business advisory and capital raising firm scoops two International awards.

Lyco Business Solutions, a Zambian specialised business advisory and capital raising firm has scooped two International Finance’s Financial awards.

The International Finance Publication Limited awarded Lyco Business Solutions as 2018 “Best New Business Advisory firm” and “Best New Capital Raising firm” respectively for Zambia.

Lyco has a growing footprint in Zambia, South Africa, Dubai and the United States of America (USA) and has been providing business consultancy services to local and international entrepreneurs’ across the range of business discipline.

The company offers business management, marketing, business development and capital raising for existing businesses seeking to expand their operations and as well provide start-ups with viable business plans.

Lyco Business Solutions Managing Director – Africa, Steven Raelly said it was a great honour to be recognised by the International Finance for its efforts, dedication and contribution to the growth of businesses in Zambia and the rest of Africa.

As the 2018 winners, Lyco Business Solutions was proud to be associated with excellence, commitment and innovation.

Mr Raelly said taking advantage of its strategic position in the United States of America (USA), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Africa; gives Lyco unlimited access to capital that can be deployed into projects in Zambia and the rest of Africa.

“An award in a competitive international selection process is a significant endorsement of our company mission to provide trusted business consultancy services that provide the highest level of customer service both during and after the consultancy process.”

“When we dared to venture outside of the Zambia home base, it was because Lyco was confident that it had established a service level commensurate with the clients’ needs and also that it could replicate the level of service and lessons learned in international environments,” Mr Raelly said.

He said the award provides a referral for the gold standard with which Lyco wants its business to be associated and for which its clients have come to expect.

“We believe that having been the recipients of such an august award, we are compelled not to equal our track record but to exceed it. As the saying goes, success breeds success and we keenly look forward to innovating ways of achieving even more. We believe that each client is unique and our services should respond with tailored solutions in mind,” Mr Raelly said.

He said they have also registered a 100 per cent Zambian owned company in Delaware, United States of America (USA), which will serve as the global headquarters.

“In all the countries where we are we have a 100 per cent Zambian owned,” Mr Raelly said.

International Finance’s Financial Awards aims to reward and recognise the contribution of financial companies, which include path-breaking initiatives in corporate social responsibility or charitable activities, corporate governance and activities that benefit the global finance community, in addition to their outstanding performance in their respective fields.

For more Business NEWS Click HERE

Sport - Charles Musonda Appointed TP Mazembe Assistant Coach

Former Chipolopolo midfielder Charles Musonda is coming closer home after being unveiled as the assistant coach at TP Mazembe.

Musonda, better known in his heyday as ‘Charlie Cool’ has been in Belgium where he was equipment manager at Anderlecht.

He has also been in the spotlight with his footballing sons having ducked pleas to turn up for Zambia.

The most talented of the three sons, Charly is in the books of Chelsea but has failed to break into the first team leading to continuous loan spells.