IGFA Member

SEEDCO KALIMBA JUNIOR FISHING

This year marks 10 years since Seedco Kalimba Junior Fishing Competition was started by the Zambia Sport Fishing Association (ZSFA) in 1998.

The relationship between Seedco and Zambia Sport Fishing Association begun when the Association had the daunting task of finding funds to support the competition annually. It approached Seedco managing director Mr. Dave Clements and put a proposal for the company’s sponsorship. Seeedco was very keen on supporting the juniors and also suggested including the under privileged children to give them the opportunity to participate in the sport.

With the aim of increase participation in fishing, Zambia Fishing Association approached Kalimba Reptile Park and spoke to Bill and Manu Thomas and put forward a proposal for a junior fishing competition. The proposal was received with great enthusiasm and upper most concern for the fishing association was to ensure that children to have a great memorable day fishing.

Attending the event for the first time it is easy to see the joy the sport brings to all the children, and Seedco must be commended for opening a new world of peace and tranquility to the under privilege children. Although fishing is part of the Zambia culture, in today’s fast paced world where the young children are faced with many trials and tribulations from a tender age, activities such as fishing and spending a day out by the lake or river are not such a common practice anymore unless it is a means of earning a living. However, the Seedco Kalimba Junior Fishing Competition is a day the children eagerly await, when they only have fun but compete against each other for prizes.

Seedco ensures that the under privileged are on an even playing field with the other children. Each child is given hat and drinking water, and first aid is also readily available for any misshapes during competition. It is very satisfying for Seedco who have been here from the start to see more juniors now participating in the yearly calendar and the junior fishing competition is growing from strength to strength.

From inception the fishing association decided that it wanted the sport to have more family participation. During this same time it was also noted that there was not many juniors participating or competing in the sport in Zambia. The fishing association realized that it could not put a junior team together to present the country in competitions which hindered Zambia’s ability to compete at international levels.

However, now the scenario has changed and it is very satisfying for the Zambia Sport Fishing Association to see more junior fisherman participating in the sport, because they are the future of Zambia and the ones to educate on the sport of angling conservation and preservation of the environment.

Since Zambia has many natural rivers fishing should be a natural sport men and women. The fishing association however is mindful of the safety of participant and has made this aspect an important part of its sporting agenda. To ensure many people participate in the sport Zambia Sport Fishing Association does not want to see fishing restricted to boats only.