Zambia: FAZ Wrangles Sadden State

Chila Namaiko

11 March 2011

SPORT, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu on Wednesday night told Parliament that the Government was not happy with the current administration and management of football in the country.

Chipungu said the Government was concerned with happenings in the FAZ because the current wrangles would affect development and promotion of football in the country.

He said the on-going rundown organisation of football was evident with poor performance of the senior national football team during both the 2010 African and World Cup qualifiers.

Chipungu said this in response to an oral question by Chipili Member of Parliament (MP) Davis Mwila (PF) who asked as to whether the Government was satisfied with the running of football in Zambia and what measures it had taken to resolve the FAZ wrangles.

Mwila also asked the Government to outline factors that led to the resignation of four executive committee members at FAZ in 2010.

In response, Chipungu said the State was concerned at the happenings at FAZ.

Chipungu said the negative publicity could jeopardise the goodwill of sponsors because no sponsor would be proud to be associated with negative publicity like that obtaining at FAZ.

“We are hopeful as Government that the outcome of the annual general meeting (AGM) slated for March 26, 2011 in Kitwe would facilitate sanity and freshen the organisation of football in Zambia.

“The Government is not very satisfied with the administration and management of football in the country,” Chipungu said.

Chipungu told the House that football remained Zambia’s unifier and number one sport preferred by most Zambians and the Government would, therefore, ensure football was developed to higher heights.

“It is our hope as Government that the outcome from this convention scheduled for March 26 will usher in an executive that will put in place measures to spearhead football in the country,” the minister said.

He said it was difficult for the Government to withdraw its continued support to FAZ because football had become a unitary source for Zambians to work in the spirit of togetherness.

Chipungu said his ministry directed the Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) to hold a convention to table pressing issues that rocked FAZ.

He, however, said no institution or non-governmental organisation (NGO) could operate without facing challenges or problems and, as such, the wrangles at FAZ would pave the way for proper organisation of football in the country.

“I wish to submit to this August House that the factors that led to the resignation of four FAZ executive members, among others, are lack of transparency and accountability in the administration and management of football at the Football House,” Chipungu explained.

He said the Government, through his ministry, directed the SCZ to investigate causes of the problems and come up with recommendations to address them.

The SCZ had since communicated to FIFA on its findings and recommendations in conformity with the FAZ constitution.

Chipungu said the SCZ recommended that FIFA should prevail on FAZ to call for an emergency council meeting to resolve the crisis of football in Zambia.

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