NOWSPAR Team Leader/Coordinator -(Ms. Matilda Mwaba) was tasked to coordinate and manage the project being a gender based organisation and a partner of NIF. NIF believes in strengthening the projects that are supported by NIF through partnerships and collaborations.
The team was formed called “Team Zambia”
All partners contributed players, logistics for the preparations of the team, such as Sports, Equipment, Training grounds and Transport. The team also received tremendous support from the local corporate companies in form of sponsorship of branded t/shirts, beauty products and a sponsored send off breakfast by the Southern Sun Hotel officiated by the Minister of Sports, Youth and child Development Hon. Kenneth Chipungu..
The team arrived in Norway, Oslo on the 19th July, 09 and was met by the Norway Cup 09 Coordinator Marte Bullie and Mr. Sveinung from the host community in Halden, Tistedal/TTIF Sports Club.
The Team camped at Tistedal Sports Complex from 19th- 25th July 09 before travelling back to Oslo for the Norway Camp.
The time spent in Halden was utilised to acclimatise and get used to the diet. They were also a lot of exciting program that were lined up for the team, such excursions, and entertainments, playing friendliest with the local team in different types of grounds, the natural and artificial grounds. The girls had time to interact and exchange cultural activities/dances with their peers. The community were very friendly, the environment was very good, the food was fantastic. The girls received a lot of presents from the community and friends.
On the 26th July, 09 we played our first game and lost 2nd game a draw 3rd and 4th game We won 5- 0 5th game leading to the Semi finals we Won 3-0 and qualified to the Semi finals before the games were cancelled due to bad weather.
Apart from playing soccer “Team Zambia” featured in more than three in tabloids and TVZ in Halden and Oslo because of their cultural and tradition performances which impressed the communities.
An advisor to the Labour Party in Norway also visited the team to discuss how sport is being used as a tool to address so many cross cutting issues including HIV and Aids. The interviews was beamed on the National Television as well a big picture of four girls representing all the participating organisation appeared in the second largest print media “Aftenpoften” on the 30th July. 2009 in Norway
There was an evaluation of the program and at the end of the trip organised by NIF Norway Cup Coordinator.
The girls described their Norway outing as very educative, exciting and an experience they will live to remember for the rest of their lifetime. They also promised to put to good use the lessons learnt in their communities, others want to form their own soccer teams.
For partners, it provided a very unique opportunity to experience a challenge of tolerance despite our so many approaches and that it is possible to work on our differences at different levels.
On behalf of all the participating, Score Zambia, Sport In Action, Edusport, SOS and NOWSPAR, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Norwegian people, especially NIF for affording the Zambian Team to take part in this very exciting, challenging and educating experience meant to afford an opportunity to the under privileged youth in our communities.
The team returned home on the 3rd August, 2009 at 10:30hrs.