FIFPRO, COPPER QUEENS SIGN $100,000 IMAGE DEAL
FIFPRO, COPPER QUEENS SIGN $100,000 IMAGE DEAL
FIFPRO and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Copper Queens players have signed a four-year image rights collective rights agreement worth $100,000 (about K2,700,000).
The deal means that FIFPRO, a global union for professional footballers working with local affiliate the Footballers and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (FAWUZ) will grant the players’ body the right to use the image rights for the permitted purpose until the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Every year, FIFPRO will disburse the $25,000 to FAWUZ for distribution to 25 players who include Copper Queens vice-captain Grace Chanda and goalkeeper Hazel Nali.
Speaking at the cheque presentation of the first of the four $25,000 to be distributed annually, FAZ general secretary thanked FIFPRO and FAWUZ for the landmark pay-out which is the first-ever pay-out for a national team in Zambia.
“This ceremony underlines the deep interest and commitment of FAWUZ to the players in which the union will enter into a collective licensing agreement with FIFPRO which shall permit the professional footballers union to enter commercial contracts for the benefit of all parties involved,” Kamanga said.
“Just last week, all 25 Copper Queens players that featured at the last World Cup received $1,000 each in the first of four payments until the next World Cup. The yearly amounts that total $100,000 over four years and $25,000 annually will continue to make an invaluable difference in the lives of the players whose lively earnings come from football.”
FAWUZ president Sandras Kumwenda described the signing agreement as historic.
“We describe it as historic because for the first time our Women’s National Team will receive a total of US$100,000 over the next 4 years through the efforts of FAWUZ and our mother body FIFPRO, the World Players Union,” Kumwenda said.
“This cooperation between FAWUZ and FAZ is cardinal in the administration and development of football in the country as FAZ is the custodians of football in our country, while FAWUZ is the custodian and voice over the footballer’s working conditions and their welfare during and after their playing careers.”
Kumwenda said FAWUZ will not continue with its mandate of giving a voice to players welfare and working conditions.
“We are also happy that our first beneficiaries are the women’s team. This is a unique opportunity as a union to acknowledge the efforts of FAZ and the Ministry of Sport in the development of women’s football,” Kumwenda added.
“Our call now is on all sponsors and cooperating partners to come and ensure that our girls, our ladies get the due support to see their development to even higher heights. As a Union we also want to take advantage of this interaction by calling on the clubs in the Women’s super league to start offering our girls professional contracts and remuneration packages.”
Copper Queens vice-captain Grace Chanda thanked FIFPRO and FAWUZ for delivering the package.
“On behalf of the players, I would like to thank FIFPRO and FAWUZ for ensuring that what we signed has been delivered. This is due to their good works and we encourage them to continue so that more of such programmes are promoted,” Chanda said.
FULL LIST OF BENEFICIARIES
GOALKEEPERS
Catherine Musonda, Eunice Sakala, Hazel Nali, Leticia Lungu
DEFENDERS
Margaret Belemu, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Agness Musesa, Esther Banda, Judith Soko, Mary Mulenga, Vast Phiri
MIDFIELDERS
Ireen Lungu, Hellen Chanda, Evarine Susan Katongo, Mary Wilombe, Susan Banda, Comfort Selemani, Avell Chitundu
STRIKERS
Xiomara Mapepa, Ochumba Oseke Lubanji, Hellen Mubanga, Grace Chanda, Rachael Kundananji, Barbra Banda
