Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions. Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.   As to what follows: In response to your question, we say:         Allah stated the recipients of Zakat in His statement, “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise” [at-Tawbah 9: 60]. Thus giving  Zakat to other than these people does not count. According to the majority of the scholars slaughtering sacrificial animals is Sunnah. Some scholars say that it is compulsory to do so. However, according to both opinions, sacrificing animals is legislated for people who have the financial ability to do so. Therefore, you should not give Zakat to sponsor a person who cannot afford the price  to buy an animal for sacrifice.