TWELVE-time MTN/FAZ league champions Nkana are set to open a sports shop, says club president Everisto Kabila.

In a statement issued after his reappointment as club president on January 23, 2017, Kabila said the Wusakile based club would this year be launching a number of business ventures.

“Nkana Football Club will this year be launching a number of business ventures that will include solar system project partnering with Exide Zambia, mealie meal project partnering with National Milling Company and we will open a sports shop,” Kabila said.

Kabila stated that the sports shop would be located at Nkana stadium and construction works had reached advanced stage.

“All merchandise will be Nkana branded and this will be a money spinner for the club and I am therefore, calling on the entire Nkana family to support this initiative,” he stated.

And Kabila told the appointees that Nkana FC was a very demanding club which required them to work extra hard.

“We all expect the players and the technical bench to work very hard and give us good results in 2017 and beyond. I am further expecting the Nkana executive committee to work very hard and drive the club to self-sustainability. The club needs in excess of K15m annually to fully operate, we get some funding from the sponsors which is not enough hence the need for the club to continue coming up with business initiatives,” he stated.

Meanwhile Nkana FC sponsors Mopani Copper Mines have reiterated their commitment to sponsoring the club. In his address to new executive committee members, Mopani Copper Mines chief financial officer, John Chilwele said Mopani would continue to support the club and that the team should reciprocate by delivering good results on the pitch.

“Mopani will do its part as the main sponsor and its incumbent for all stakeholders to do their part and ensure that you win the league and other silverware. This message has to also go to the technical bench and the players. Nkana FC workers and supporters should also do their part,” said Chilwele.