Crown TV sports news bulletin, it was reported that Joseph Simpanzye, a hockey player, has resorted to become a garden boy to sustain his necessities due to a shortage of funds in the sport.
Joseph explained in an interview with Crown TV that his current job as a garden boy was not his choice, but rather a result of circumstances. “Most people believe that Zambian hockey players are well compensated, but this is not the reality because we make personal sacrifices for the sport. We sometimes have to give money to cover our own logistics costs.”
“Not all sports are as well sponsored as football. We went to a competition in Pretoria last time, and I was the highest scorer, but there was nothing. The family needs food on the table, and as an athlete, you must provide as everyone looks up to you.
In other nations, hockey is a professional sport with players earning a living from it, however this is not the situation in Zambia. Joseph was booted from the national squad due to his inability to balance his job as a garden boy with hockey training sessions. He has since urged for the government to invest in a similar support system as it is done in other sports.
Credit: Crown TV / Zambian Sport
