•FOOTBALL is widely known as one of the best ways of keeping fit. Above, some Ndola City Council veterans’ team in action at Kwacha Centre grounds. Picture by YVONNE CHATE

By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –

A HEALTHY nation is a wealthy one, so goes a popular saying.
It implies that productivity in a country is directly proportional to the well-being of its citizenry.
The rise of heart-related complications in Zambia and the world over has given birth to a number of activities among the Copperbelt population.
This is in a bid to combat these ailments that are claiming lives on a daily basis.
People are now becoming aware of the health risks which the lack of exercises poses to lives as can be seen by various aerobics sessions being conducted across the province.
The Ndola Wanderers main executive committee that presides over rugby, football, netball, and volleyball fields at Kwacha Centre has recognised social football as a prominent activity helping to promote healthy living.
The committee has since opened up its doors to corporate entities, education institutions and private individuals wishing to take part in social football as one way of tackling cardiac diseases in the copper-rich province.
Committee vice-chairperson, Kampamba Kabwe said the introduction of social football would provide a cheaper way of exercising for residents who could not afford to enroll at the local gymnasiums or to seek professional instructors to help them shape up.
“We have gyms around Ndola and very few people go to exercise, so this inspired us to start promoting social football as one way to keep fit because of its popularity.
“People need to relieve the fatigue and stress they undergo by engaging in sports,” Kabwe said.
Football is the most popular sport in the world, that is ideal for fitness, health, strength and endurance and can involve players of all ages.
Besides the high level of athletic ability of the player, the nature of football entails running, which medical practitioners have proved increases fitness and cardiovascular health.
“This initiative is not going to be biased towards men but it will cater for women and children of all ages regardless of their knowledge about football.
“That’s what will make participants have lots of fun. The idea is to promote fitness,” Kabwe said.
Other health benefits of playing football are the lowering of body fat, increasing bone and muscle strength, building strength, flexibility and endurance, as well as improving health due to shifts between walking, running and sprinting.
But for the Ndola Wanderers team to attain its goals, it should pay attention to the playing fields that have been in a deplorable state for some time.
Thankfully, Kabwe said the committee was mobilising resources to repair the pitches and ensure that social games were played in a conducive environment.