31 March 2011
SUPER Division clubs have resolved to start the 2011 MTN soccer league this weekend and have also agreed that the annual general meeting would be held on April 30 at the Mulungushi University in Kabwe.
The 15 clubs that met at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday resolved to begin the league this weekend saying it was important to consider the welfare of players and the commitment of sponsors.
Konkola Blades were the only absentees but sent their apologies during the meeting that was called for club chairpersons and secretaries.
FAZ vice-president Boniface Mwamelo said in an interview, after a closed door meeting with the clubs, that the meeting was called for to discus the commencement of the 2011 league and secondly discuss certain obligations FAZ has to the sponsors MTN and SuperSport.
Mwamelo said clubs were enlightened on the MTN deal which he said would see the Super division clubs benefiting but that the next meeting to be held will consider trekking the benefits to division one and two.
He said the meeting was held in a good atmosphere and that all clubs agreed to start the league this weekend while the date for the AGM has been maintained though some clubs wanted it to be moved closer.
He said FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya explained that FIFA and CAF officials needed to attend the meeting and that it was important to consider their logistics especially that FIFA’s head of member associations, Primo Corvaro, had other duties to attend to.
Mwamelo said Zesco United secretary Justin Mumba attended the meeting before leaving for Swaziland for a CAF match and pledged to play their match against Kabwe Warriors on Wednesday same for Nchanga Rangers who will take on Zanaco on the same day due to their Confederations Cup commitments.
He said some clubs proposed that the number of teams should be increased from the current 16 to 18 teams but that it would be up to the council to either ratify or reject the proposal.
Mwamelo said the meeting also agreed on the need for dialogue through good and established channels with good spirited language and mutual respect and attacks through the Press should come to an end.
“The issue of restructuring the league came up and it was agreed that consultations will continue with a meeting to be held as a follow up to the Chisamba declaration. The clubs agreed to be in solidarity and will deal with other issues at the AGM,” he said.
Mwamelo, who is also FAZ Premier League organising committee chairperson, said clubs agreed that sharing of information between the association and clubs should be direct and not through a third party.
The meeting also heard the 2010 Barclays Cup final between Zesco and Zanaco would be played on April 9 at a venue to be announced.
Mwamelo expressed happiness with the deliberations saying ‘This is a victory for football because we were concerned with football affairs and am happy we have come to an agreement’.
The week one fixtures will see Red Arrows hosting Nkana at Nkoloma Stadium in a match that would be beamed live on SuperSport channel. The other match to be shown live would involve Green Buffaloes and sister club Kalewa set for Sunday at Woodlands.
Other matches set for Saturday see Forest Rangers locking horns with Roan United as entrants Lime Hotspurs play Konkola Blades with Nakambala Leopards hosting Nkwazi in Mazabuka.
Power Dynamos play Green Eagles while the matches involving Rangers versus Zanaco and the Zesco against Kabwe Warriors will be played on Wednesday.
AllAfrica – All the Time