THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says the death of the Boxing Board boss, Nelson Sapi, is a blow to the sporting community in Zambia.
According to a FAZ statement release, Mr Sapi contributed greatly to the development of sport in the country, especially boxing, and that he died at a time when his administrative skills were still needed.
“Mr. Sapi’s contribution to Zambia’s sports development is greatly recognized and he will be greatly missed,” reads the FAZ statement in part.
“On behalf of Football Association of Zambia President Andrew Kamanga and the FAZ administration, we wish to pass sincere condolences to the Sapi Family and the sporting community at large,” states the FAZ statement signed by the spokesperson, Mwazi Chanda.
Mr. Sapi, the chaiperson of the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZPBWCB), died at 11.05 hours on Monday morning at Linkfield Hospital, in Johannesburg South Africa, where he was admitted.
According to information provided by his family, Mr. Sapi started his sports career as a boxer before making his name as a top-notch footballer at Rhokana United, the present day Nkana FC.
He also had a stint as a boxer at Rhokana Amateur Boxing Club in Kitwe, and was scheduled to be part of the Zambian boxing squad at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. His father however, persuaded him to quit boxing and focus on football.
He was inspired by Fred Mwila Snr to join Rhokana United in 1968 where he became a marksman at Scrivener Stadium.
Mr. Sapi also played for the Zambia national school team and featured in international games against British clubs, namely WolvermptonWanderers and Ipswich.
Apart from football, Mr. Sapi was rugby and motor sport administrator.
