Section One: Getting Started

Who runs Zain Africa Challenge at the university?

Zain Africa Challenge (ZAC) is run by the faculty and staff at the university.  The Vice Chancellor (or designee) appoints two people to administer the programme for the university, the Liaison and the Coach.

What is the role of the Liaison?

The Zain Africa Challenge Liaison, generally a staff member in student affairs (student union, student activities, residential life) or in academic affairs/honors programme, is the primary liaison between the university and the Zain Africa Challenge office.

The Zain Africa Challenge Liaison can undertake the responsibilities of the Zain Africa Challenge Coach as well, but in general, the Zain Africa Challenge Liaison maintains an administrative perspective. The responsibilities include:

• Attending a Zain Africa Challenge training session (travel,single-occupancy housing and meals are provided).
• Publicising the Zain Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Recruiting students to try out for the Zain Africa Challenge team.
• Administering the Zain Africa Challenge student tryout tests.
• Coordinating all details of the Zain Africa Challenge programme for the university.
• Completing the Zain Africa Challenge Championship team registration and qualification materials.
• Certifying player eligibility for the Zain Africa Challenge National Qualifying Tournament and if qualified, the International Championship Festival.
• Facilitating the logistical details of player eligibility and team travel for the Zain Africa Challenge National Qualifying Tournament and Championship Festival.
• Helping recruit and train volunteers for the Zain Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Helping to develop a long-term Zain Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Travelling with the team to the Zain Africa Challenge National Qualifying Tournament and International Championship Festival and serving as their chaperone during the entire trip.

What is the role of the Coach?

The Zain Africa Challenge Coach is either a faculty member or an institutional staff member.  Tthe Zain Africa Challenge Coach and the Zain Africa Challenge Liaison responsibilities can be performed by the same person. However, having a separate person responsible for the administrative aspects of the campus programme can free the Coach to focus on the players and the game.  The Coach’s responsibilities include:

• Attending a Zain Africa Challenge Workshop (travel, single-occupancy housing and meals are provided).
• Helping the ZAC Liaison recruit students to try out for the Zain Africa Challenge team.
• Helping the ZAC Liaison administer the Zain Africa Challenge student tryout tests.
• Selecting 12-20 players who will join the Zain Africa Challenge club practice at the university before the final Zain Africa Challenge Scholars Team is chosen.
• Preparing materials for and running team practice sessions.
• Teaching players the rules of the game and mentoring them in mastering game strategies.
• Selecting the Zain Africa Challenge Scholars team of four players (three players plus one alternate).
• Working with the ZAC Liaison to handle the administrative details for the team’s participation at the Zain Africa Challenge National Qualifying Tournament and International Championship Festival.
• Travelling with the team to the Zain Africa Challenge National Qualifying Tournament and Championship Festival and serving as their chaperone during the entire trip.
• Helping recruit and train volunteers for the Zain Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Helping to develop a long-term Zain Africa Challenge programme at the university.

How are students recruited?

Zain Africa Challenge provides promotion and publicity materials to the universities for their use in recruiting students.  It is recommended that the promotion period be one week and that there be announcements of the programme made in classes throughout the week.  Students are asked to sign up in advance for a tryout test.  Two tryout test sessions should be scheduled, both at times when it is convenient for students to attend.  Participation is limited to students in an undergraduate curriculum.  No Masters or Doctoral students may compete.

How are student tryouts conducted?

Zain Africa Challenge provides tests to be administered during the tryouts. They are 30-question tests covering a variety of content areas that will be featured in the games.  The test must be administered in strict compliance with prescribed security rules.  Each test period is 45 minutes.  At the end of the tryout test, each student's test is scored by the designated faculty or staff member.  Students are then notified of their qualification to join the Zain Africa Challenge Scholars Club.

What is the difference between the Zain Africa Challenge Scholars Club and the Zain Scholars Team?

The Zain Africa Challenge Club members are selected by the liaison and/or the coach from among those who took the Student Tryout Test.  It is recommended that 12-20 students be chosen from among those who scored well and demonstrated diverse knowledge on the tryout test.  The club members must make a commitment to meet at least 2 times per week to learn the game and conduct practice drills.  Club meetings should be scheduled during times when classes are not in session.

After that evaluation period, the coach chooses the four students (three players plus one alternate) who will comprise the university's Zain Africa Challenge Scholars Team.  The team is selected on the basis of talent, enthusiasm and knowledge.  It is important to select a team with diverse knowledge and strong, positive team spirit.

Section Two: Picking the Zain Scholars Team

Can a student from another country be a member of my team?

Yes, as long as they meet the player eligibility requirements.

I have a player who represented the university at last year’s International Championship Festival.  May they still play at this year’s National Qualifying Tournament?

No, all players are limited to one year of international eligibility.  Attendance at the International Championship Festival ends a player’s eligibility.  However, players who only attend a National Qualifying Tournament remain eligible until they have attended an International Championship Festival.  In this context, attend means all who attend, not only those who play.

If I want to make a change to my team roster, what steps are necessary?

Changes may be made until transportation arrangements are finalised.  The Liaison must submit all required information and eligibility verification in order to initiate the player change.  Changes after this time resulting in the purchase of a new airline ticket will be addressed on case by case basis.

Section Three: Travelling to a ZAC Tournament

Must I travel with the team?

Yes, the Coach and/or Liaison must always travel with the team whether by road or air.

Who pays for the airline tickets, if required?

ZAC headquarters will purchase any airline tickets required.  The Coach and/or Liaison is responsible for printing and carrying the itineraries for presentation at the airport.  Each member of the travelling group should also be provided with a copy of their own itinerary.

Will ZAC purchase a business class ticket for the Coach and/or Liaison?

No, all team tickets will be economy.

I live in or near the city where the tournament is taking place; can I be reimbursed for taxi service or petrol expense?

Yes, as long as the expenditures fall within the guidelines set forth on the travel expense reimbursement form.  However, no meals en-route are allowable.

If the National Qualifying Tournament is held in my home city, will my team be accommodated at the host hotel?

Possibly.  This is subject to hotel space availability and budget.

What hotel expenses does ZAC cover?

ZAC will pay the room and VAT charges only.  No incidentals including and not limited to: internet access, phone charges, room service, laundry, bar tabs, restaurant charges or gym/spa fees will be paid for or reimbursed.  Full board is provided at all tournaments for those staying at the hotel, as indicated on the tournament schedule.

Do Coaches and Liaisons have shared accommodations?

No, single room accommodations will be provided for the Coach and Liaison.  The players are paired in twin rooms by sex.

How and when will I be reimbursed for miscellaneous travel expenses?

Upon completion of a travel expense form with full receipts and subject to review by ZAC personnel, you will be reimbursed at the tournament in your choice of local currency or USD.

Section Four: About the Game

How do I choose which three players will compete and in which round?

Before each match, the Coach is given a list of the categories in each round and a description.  S/he then chooses which player will compete in the Face-Off position for each round.

How long is each round?

At the National Qualifying Tournament, rounds one through three are timed at 3 minutes each and the Ultimate Challenge is 1 minute for each team.  At the International Championship Festival, rounds one through three are back-timed to fit in the team introductions, university promo spots, team interviews, etc. and are 3-4 minutes each and the Ultimate Challenge is 1 minute for each team.

Can the Face-Off player interrupt a Face-Off question if they know the answer?

No, the lockout signal system is not activated until the last word of the Face-Off question.

Can the Face-Off player interrupt a Bonus question or an Ultimate Challenge question if they know the answer?

Yes, but players should be cautioned to confer before doing so as the presenter will accept the first answer directed at him/her.

In the Ultimate Challenge, why is it that the team that is behind gets to go first?

This is to give the team that is behind first choice of the categories.  In any event, both teams will play the Ultimate Challenge.

Section Five: At the Tournaments

Will there be practice or warm-up games played at the National Qualifying Tournament and International Championship Festival?

No, teams should be well practiced before coming to the tournament.  Practicing at the tournament has not been shown to improve performance and may be detrimental.  Each team will however get a couple of tries at pressing the buzzer to get a feel for the device.

What is the format of the tournaments?

The National Qualifying Tournament format depends upon the number of universities eligible to compete at each country’s National Qualifying Tournament.  Click to view the 2009-2010 NQT formats.

At the International Championship Festival:  In 2009-2010 there were two segments to the tournament. first the 32 teams competed in country-specific playoffs. Then the final 16 teams played a Single Knockout where teams were eliminated after one loss.  Teams are power seated based on the statistical results from the National Qualifying Tournaments and the International Championship Festival playoffs.  Pairings avoid, as best as possible, pitting two teams from the same country in the first round.

What happens if a team is not on time for a match at the National Qualifying Tournament?

It is at the discretion of the tournament director whether to declare the match a forfeit.  For this reason, teams are required to be in a game room the time period before any scheduled match.

If we have a student who requires medical transport, will ZAC cover the expense?

No, ZAC will not assume the responsibility to transport, but will assist with arrangements.  Under no conditions will ZAC pay for any medical care.  This is the responsibility of the university or the individual.

I want to buy top up cards to maintain contact with my students; will ZAC reimburse me?

No, ZAC will not reimburse any university representative for top up card purchases or other mobile phone costs.

Is there a dress code for the tournaments?

The dress code for the National Qualifying Tournament is business casual.  With the exception of the Opening and Closing Banquets the dress code of the International Championship Festival is also business casual.  For the TV programme, ZAC will supply a shirt for the teams to wear.  The Opening and Closing banquets require business attire (Shirt and tie for men; pantsuit or skirt set for women).  Traditional dress is also appropriate.

Will accommodations be made for special dietary needs?
Yes, if ZAC headquarters is informed in advance of the needs and is able to make the accommodation.  Vegetarian cuisine will be available at all group meals.

Section Six: At the International Championship Festival

How are the 32 teams for the International Championship Festival chosen?

The teams qualify by placing at the top of their National Qualifying Tournament.  The following is the distribution of teams for the 2009-2010 year:

Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda & Tanzania: the top 2 teams from each of the two 8-team pools will advance to the International Championship Festival.

Ghana:  The top 4 teams from the single 8-team Knockout will advance to the International Championship Festival.

Malawi :  The top 2 teams from the single 5-team Knockout will advance to the International Championship Festival

Sierra Leone:  Both eligible universities will advance to the International Championship Festival.

Zambia:  The top 4 teams from the single 6-team Knockout will advance to the International Championship Festival.

Wild Card teams:  To complete the 32-team field, 4 Wild Card teams will be selected from among the remaining teams in Ghana (5th place team at the National Qualifying Tournament), Kenya (3rd place team in each of the two pooled tournament groups), Nigeria (3rd place team in each of the two pooled tournament groups), Tanzania (3rd place team in each of the two pooled tournament groups), Uganda (3rd place team in each of the two pooled tournament groups).  Only one wild card team per country may be selected.

If we qualify for the International Championship Festival, can others from my university and the students’ parents attend?

No, the ZAC International Championship Festival is a closed event due to security, cost and space limitations.

How will my players be introduced on the TV programme? 

For consistency, all players are identified by:  first name and surname.  Players wishing to include their middle name (s) will be accommodated if possible.

Can I change my team roster after the National Qualifying Tournament but before the Festival?

Yes, as long as the replacement player took the Student Tryout Test and meets all player eligibility requirements.

What do I need to travel outside my country?

This depends upon the countries of origin and destination involved.  Travel within COMESA countries requires only government issued travel documents.  Travel to or outside of COMESA countries by those in Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone requires a valid passport and purchase of a visa.

Will ZAC cover the cost of tourist visas?

If a visa is required, you will be reimbursed the expense provided that a receipt or copy of the visa is submitted with the travel expense reimbursement form.

If we qualify for the International Championship Festival are we required to stay at the host hotel?

Yes.  At the ICF all teams are required to stay at the host hotel.  Due to security concerns, teams may not leave the hotel without permission.  However, various off-site events will be planed to allow the group (as a group) to experience Kampala.

I have colleagues and former students who would like to be a volunteer at the International Championship Festival; how do they apply?

Only a handful of volunteers are needed.  These are generally drawn from among former players who must have graduated from the university.  To, apply, interested people must complete the online volunteer application.

Section Seven: About the Zain Grants

What grants are being awarded?

Grants for 2009-2010 are awarded to all universities and participants (4 students, Coach and Liaison) who compete at either the National Qualifying Tournament or advance to the International Championship Festival.  In addition to travel grants and other prizes, monetary grants are:

Bonus grants earned for Ultimate Challenge wins at the International Championship Tournament are paid in cash, but are only awarded to the 4 student players.

University grants are used to fulfill educational initiatives or purchase educational materials.  Each university works with the Zain operation in their country to determine appropriate item(s) and Zain procures the goods or services.

Participant grants are paid as cash grants via cheque up to the $1,000/person level.  Grants above that level are supplied in the form of educational materials such as laptop computers, Internet enabled mobile phones, trips and educational supplies.

When will I receive my grant?

Grants are awarded by the Zain operation in each country.  It is anticipated that grants to the universities and their participants which are eliminated at the National Qualifying Tournament will be awarded by 15 January. 2010.

Due to the need to maintain secrecy of the outcome of the programmes recorded at the International Championship Festival, grants to universities and participants who attend the International Championship Festival are not awarded until after a university's last broadcast.