By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
.Federer
TENNIS super star Roger Federer has hailed the Zambian Government for its efforts in improving early childhood education.
Dropping in on President Edgar Lungu in Lusaka yesterday for a courtesy call Mr Federer, chairperson of the self-titled Roger Federer Foundation that supports early education seven countries of Southern Africa said organised pre-school education, especially for children in rural areas, gave them a better shot at life.
Mr Federer, said this yesterday when he met President Edgar Lungu at State House.
“We have been operating in Zambia together with our local partners since 2011 and by the end of 2018, we will have invested US$5.1 million in Zambia,” Mr Federer said.
He urged Government to expedite the establishment of the early childhood policy framework to enable organisations operate more effectively.
President Lungu said early childhood education was the best way to tap the potential of children, which determined their success or failure in future.
He said he was happy that Mr Federer had taken time to visit Zambia and spend time with young children who would be inspired by the Swiss sportsman’s monumental success.
The President said he was confident that Mr Federer’s visit would inspire more local celebrities to engage with young children.
And President Lungu spent time with Mr Federer yesterday visiting the tennis court at State House and also game-viewing.
The tennis player, generally considered the game’s best ever male player, later presented the President with a tennis racket which he autographed.
Mr Federer said it was his first time in Zambia and Southern Africa, a region which held a special place in his heart as his mother was South African.
He said he knew a lot about Zambia because his parents had extensively travelled to the country.
Mr Federer is in Zambia to undertake programmes with the Reformed Church Schools organisation, the Zambia Open Community Schools and the ministries of General Education and Sports.
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