By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone

TWO Kalomo youths who have just returned from Norway plan to set up a football league for under 17’s in Kabanga area.

In an interview, Tandi Siavuta 26 and Edwin Habasonda 27 who recently returned from Norway on a Youth Sports Exchange Programme (YSEP) under Response Network a non-Governmental organisation based in Livingstone said they also plan to hold an Under 17football tournament. To be held in Kabanga in chief Siachitema’s area in Kalomo district.

“We want to form a football league for the youths especially those who are under 17 so that we can help promote the development of football in Zambia. We have noted that most of the football teams even in villages are more concentrated on adults,” Habasonda said.

He and Siavuta left for Norway last year on September 1st and returned on May 19.

He said while in Norway, they underwent football coaching programmes.

Habasonda said he was trained in football coaching in Akset while Siavuta was trained in football coaching in Steinkjer.

And Siavuta said she specialized in coaching people living with disabilities.

“After training, I did my training practicals with people living with disabilities between the ages of 12 and 14. I used to commute from Inderøy to Steinkjer,” she said.

She added that at first it was a challenge to coach football to people living with disabilities but soon adopted.

Siavuta said she would love to continue training people living with disabilities in Zambia.

Norway and Zambia has been running the YSEP programme with the collaboration of Response Network under the assistance of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF).