By YVONNE SAKALA –

ZAMBIA Cricket Union (ZCU) president Reuben Chama has said much as the sport is making improvements in the country, women cricket remained an area needing special attention.
Chama said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday and that the union was placing emphasis on improving women cricket which had not developed as compared to the men’s.
He said the union had drawn up a special programme to enhance women cricket in the country so that the women would compete favourably at both local and international events.
“As much as the sport is making progress, we still have one area that needs special attention, and that’s women cricket, we have not done much for them, so we have come up with a special programme that will help raise the standards of women cricket in the country,” Chama said.
He said the union was making arrangements to call-up the women team into camp for an intensive training programme that would help the women better understand the basics of the sport.
He said although the women had a league running in the two regions- Copperbelt and Midlands- the sport was not as competitive as the men’s league was.
He said the union would also engage the former cricketers to give support and skill to the women team once they are called into camp.
“The women team should at least be called into camp for intensified cricket training for maybe three- four days so that they can understand the basics of the sports. Also, we want to engage the retired players to come and offer their support and skill to the women team,” he said.
He said the union had little issues with the men’s cricket team saying the men had received utmost attention from the union and that it was time for the women team to also have their share of the cake.
Chama urged women cricketers to put in their best in the training and understand the sport, adding that it takes understanding and determination for one to achieve something at the end of the day.
“I am encouraging the women team to put in their best in the sport, there is nothing one cannot achieve when they have put in their effort in the things they are doing, it calls for seriousness and determination,” he said.