By GRACE  CHAILE –

NATIONAL women soccer team captain, Kabange Mupopo has been given wild card entry to represent Zambia at the International Association for Athletic Federation (IAAF) 2014 World Indoor Championship.
Mupopo, who will be running in the 400m event, has been given by Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) to compete at the championship to be held in Holland from March 7 to 9.
Coach Douglas Kalembo said in an interview during a training session at Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) that Mupopo was given the wild card based on performance.
The versatile athlete is expected to be named in Charles Bwale’s final squad that travels for Tanzania tomorrow for this weekend’s return leg of the Namibia 2014 Africa Women Championship (AWC).
“She has being given a wild card by ZAAA to represent the country in the 400m race because of her performance.
The qualifying time for 400m is about 52 seconds and her personal best is 53 seconds. Mupopo is a good athlete and capable of bringing a medal,” he said.
Kalembo said Gerald Phiri, who is based in United States of America (USA), also qualified for the 60m with a time of 6.67 seconds.
“Phiri has also qualified for the 60m heat and his personal best is 6.55 seconds. He managed to reach the finals last in 2011 but could not compete due to an injury. I am sure this time he will make it,” he said.
Kalembo revealed that the two athletes are scheduled to leave for Holland next week likely on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Kalembo said 18 athletes, who will be trimmed to 12, are currently in camp preparing for the international events that includes the Commonwealth Games and Nanjing Youth Olympics.