Eden University wins hearts of football stakeholders

TIM ZULU writes IT is often said that a king is not usually eulogised in his homeland, but turning the page of that idiom to the homeland of the second tier of Zambian football, the story in the just ended 2019/20 Eden University National Division one league is overwhelmingly different. The Higher learning institution was not just the official sponsor of the League but took an extra mile to have all 18 teams under one basket for timely information and smooth communication among all participants including seasoned sports administrators and senior coaches in the land.  Little wonder most teams where abreast with key information in many aspect of the game living most football stakeholders from administrators to match officials speak highly on how Eden University took matters of football with a different approach and touch. Silver medal danglers Prison Leopards team manager KebbyLuchanga said the first ever National league not only was it interesting but very competitive and not a child’s play.  “But to participants like us, what was more appealing in the Eden League was the free flow of football information coming from the Eden office,” he said. “Those timely updates almost every day were quiet helpful and we made good use of them like to get to know what is happening in the other camp and vise-versa, that surely made communication amongst all teams in the league alot easier and thumps up for such a great initiative,” said Luchanga. Speaking to Eden Sports via telephone, Luchanga said the coming in of Eden to support the local football like at this level is indeed a huge milestone in the development of our football and need to be recommended for that gesture. “Look at the levels of competition among the participants, I think your coming in as Eden brought in a new lease of life and I think any genuine member in this second tier league will attest in the manner we are remained a United force yet we were opponents, thanks to your office, that somewhat gave us some direction,” he said.  “As Leopards, we have crossed this difficult bridge to the super League but please don’t look back on the good job of uplifting grassroot football, your efforts to this cause will surely pay off now and in the near future for mother Zambia Said the Leopards team manager. In another phone call Match Official Mercy Zulu says at firstshe did not understand what this Eden thing was all about. “For me and others we were made to understand and love what was happening in this league largely because of constant  updates and the news we were getting was just top notch you couldn’t look for more living us with little choice but love the league, it was as if you are physically there when in fact not but as sports people, it was your enticing stories coming from this end we appreciated most  because it was also uplifting our brand football at this level.the hype was indeed above the moon.’Said the Fifa official. We followed the Eden league with alot of passion through your office at every stage. so to me I think this level of commitment need to be appreciated.in a nutshell I would say the Eden league was just well coordinated and looked very organised right to the end Keep it up. ‘She Said.   And Monze Swallows General Secretary Nicholas Moomba said it should not surprise people one day when some players from the Eden league cross over international borders.  ‘You may not be aware that this Eden league has reached as far as Australia and our players in this league are being monitored through these timely updates about teams and player profile  coming from the Eden office and don’t get surprised when you start receiving calls enquiring about our Zambian players from this fold. ‘Moomba Said.    And Football Follower Dominic Chanda said Eden University should be proud of itself as the higher leaning institutions is now becoming a house hold name. ‘I think to us people who passionately follow Zambian football                 what your institution has done to this league is beyond measure I know being the first time one or two things may not add up, but the fact that you took this great step to support local football in what ever little way I think you need a pat on the back.  ‘We never missed a thing wether one watches the games or not, but rich updates ranging from pre, post match reports, tables, exclusive stories name them all made us keenly follow this league to the latter and just look how u managed the final day, quiet unbelievable .’Chanda Said.         And goodwill messages from soccer administrators kept coming to the Eden Inbox  to appreciate the way the soccer family was United  in the Zambian second tier league despite being competitors.             ‘Aya ema league Zoona’, well organised .this is really wonderful and encouraging read one of the many message coming from the Malaiti Rangers General Secretary Mutale Bwalya and other Administrators.  Eden University crowned it’s league champions and runners up last week Thursday with a rare treat of respect befiting an appreciated king when it flew the 125,000 Kwacha trophy to Champions Indeni in Ndola and deliver the 75,000 Kwacha cheque and silver Medals to Prison Leopards in Kabwe for coming out second by a ZAF Chopper. The Sun