Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice-president Kalusha Bwalya has declared that he has the best record to become FAZ president wrote The Post.
And Bwalya has condemned people who are campaigning on racial lines, saying candidates should concentrate on selling their manifestoes.
In an interview on his way from Livingstone yesterday, Bwalya said he was the brainchild behind the three major deals that FAZ had clinched in the last four years.
"I initiated the KCM deal with Dr Sixtus Mulenga and Augustine Seyuba and in a long time the FAZ league got a sponsor. That was my effort.
"Not only that, through my influence FAZ got the Nike deal. In many years, Nike was only dealing with Nigeria and Morocco in Africa, but because of my CV, Nike came to Zambia and the contract runs up to 2010. That meant good attire for the national team and some money for FAZ.
"Further more, through my influence, our local league will be shown on Supersport. That's all because I'm the one they know at SuperSport and I convinced them (SuperSport) on the need to have Zambian matches televised on the channel," he said.
Bwalya also said he had a rich track record and qualifications to run FAZ more effectively, adding that because of his influence he had managed to woo the corporate world to FAZ.
“I’m the best man for the job because I have a rich track record. I'm the only player to have been honoured by all three presidents. First it was Dr Kenneth Kaunda who gave me the Order of Distinguished Service while Dr (Frederick) Chiluba honoured me with the a Diplomatic Passport in 1998 and for 10 years I have been Zambia's Sports Ambassador. Later, Dr Levy Mwanawasa gave me the Meritorious Award for my service to my country," he said. "That's a record which I'm proud of and all the three presidents of Zambia have recognised my contribution and commitment to soccer."
Bwalya also said he was the only candidate who has been appointed by FIFA president to be on various committees.
"Blatter appointed, not because of my position in FAZ, but because of my ability," he said.
Bwalya also said he gained a lot of experience from the 16-member committee that convinced FIFA to give the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Bwalya has said no one should campaign on racial lines because FIFA promoted fair play in football.
"All those who want to stand should just come out in the open and state their cases. Let them show us their record and convince the councillors," he said.
Bwalya was in Livingstone to present his manifesto to clubs based in Southern Province.
Bwalya will face incumbent FAZ president Teddy Mulonga and Lusaka Dynamos strongman, Hanif Adams at the FAZ annual general meeting on March 29.
FAZ Candidates file in Nominations
THE Football Association of Zambia nominations went on a positive note after most candidates successfully filed in their nominations at Football House (FAZ). The nominations started at 09:00 and ended at 17:00 hours. Hanif Adams a Lusaka business man expressed confidence in his candidature, “I am definitely winning the position of president because I have got the support.”
Hanif was later found at Queensmead Stadium watching his club, Lusaka Dynamos’s friendly against Zambia Army sponsored side Division one south Riflemen.
“I wish the public was voting they wouldn’t have been any doubts that I was going to win.”
The outgoing FAZ President Teddy Mulonga also filed in his nomination in the morning while his vice Kalusha Bwalya filed in absentia.
The Mulonga led executive has brought about a lot of development in the Zambian Soccer, it has also facilitated in of the sealing of the Supersport and KCM deal, the 2006 and 2008 African Cup of Nations , FIFA Under-20 World qualifications and the rehabilitation of the Independence stadium. The executive has also made other important developments for which they want to continue.
On the position of Vice President four candidates managed to file in their nominations, FAZ spokesperson Joseph Nkole who recently announced his intentions to stand as a Vice President filed in his nomination in the morning.
Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association, Pator Peter Makembo managed to file his nomination with just two hours before the doors were closed. Pastor Makembo expressed great confidence in his ability to transform the standards of Zambian football to great hights.
Former Zambia national Soccer team player Emmanuel Munaile arrived at 12:00 hrs to file his nomination.
Zambia football Coaches Assocition, Simataa Simataa also filed his nomination for the FAZ Vice President.
On the position of Treasurer, Former Railway Express executive Frank Muntali looks like he will unopposed.
Fred Mwila Senior, renowned Zambian Soccer legend and veteran coach arrived at the football house to file in his nomination at 14.00hrs. Mwila one of the first three Zambian football exports to the United States and Britain in the early 70s having played for Atlanta Chiefs and Aston Villa for period of over five years respectively.
Mwila together with the late Howard Mwikuta and Emment Kapengwe played side by side with
South African Soccer Baron Kaiser Motaung with whom he shared most valuable moments. He has offered his vast football expertise and experience as he vies for a position in FAZ as Committee Member. Mwila has also portrayed vigorous coaching expertise having coached several high class teams at national team level, among them the Zambia National Team, Botswana National Team and several popular teams among the cream of football outfits in Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Others vying for the position of committee member Ng’uni Chisenga, Simwaka Martin (former Lusaka Dynamo chairman), David Zimba (Medical Stars), Henry Sichembe of City of Lusaka, Richie Nawa (Profund Warriors), Marsha Chilemena (Chairman of Telesport Football club ), Zacks Machaliwa of Lusaka City Council, Willie Chikuka who is the Referees Association of Zambia and finally FAZ committee member Henschel Chitembeya is recontesting.
Only five committee members are needed to complete the FAZ Executive committee that include a president, vice president and treasurer.
Kalu woos South vote
SOUTHERN Province clubs have endorsed the candidature of Kalusha Bwalya for the position of Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president in the elections set for March 29 at Lusaka’s Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Twenty-one clubs that Kalusha met on Wednesday at the council chambers in Livingstone resolved to support Kalusha because they felt he had the necessary attributes to run the affairs of football in the country.
While they wholesomely accused FAZ of neglecting them in the last four years, the clubs said they believed Kalusha had the necessary competence to steer Zambia out of the doldrums.
Addressing the clubs, Kalusha said Zambia had invested so much in him and that it was time for the country to start benefiting from his experience.
Kalusha said the standards of soccer had gone far below the acceptable levels because some people at the helm of football administration had outlived their usefulness.
He said some of the current crop of football administrators had run out of innovations and that new blood was the sure solution to the sport whose fortunes were dwindling.
"Zambia's football was ranked number one in Africa.
For far too long, we have been in game and laboured to make a significant contribution to the sport.
I am on my knees and asking you to give me a chance.
We have the capacity, the connections and the experience and with me at the helm, football will be different in this country," Kalusha said.
Kalusha, who is in the province campaigning for FAZ top job, said he would ensure football was fully commercialised and that many clubs in lower divisions got motivated.
He said he had devoted all his life to football and has the conviction that he would turn things round when elected.
“We’re on firm ground.
We’ve devoted all our life to football and I am sure people are able to tell the commitment that we have to Zambian football.
We have over 100 caps, which is a clear indication of our dedication,” Kalusha said.
He said when he turned professional, there were only three blacks at his club at Cercle Brugge in Belgium, adding that Zambia was the first country to have a player in professional football in Europe.
He observed that it was disheartening to note that the country had settled to be on the periphery of the world sport despite leading the continent at one time.
"We used to be better than most African countries in soccer.
But now we even feel ashamed to announce our position on the African and world rankings.
There should be a rebirth in the way football should be administered and with concerted efforts and your support, the tides could be turned around," he said.-Daily Mail
Racial attacks upset Hanif
FAZ presidential aspirant Hanif Adams has described the racial slurs targeted at him ahead of the March 29 elections as disheartening.
Adams said it was sad that some candidates had already engaged in ‘dirty’ campaigns
“I'm very disappointed that in this modern age people will be campaigning based on race,” he said.
“In fact, I'm more Zambian than some of these people calling me a mwenye (Indian) today. I was born and bred in the jungles of Eastern Province,” he said.
Adams saRacial attacks upset Hanif
“It’s not fair. My input has been to develop this country. For 29 years I have been running Lusaka Dynamos, no one called me an Indian but because I am contesting the FAZ elections I am called Indian,” he complained.
Adams said despite the racial slurs, he would not relent but continue campaigning for the top post.
“Those people saying these things have no strategy, they have no brains. It’s ridiculous to call me Indian, but it will not deter me from going ahead,” he said.
Adams is in the race for the top post that also has incumbent Mulonga and FAZ vice-president Kalusha Bwalya.id it was disappointing that colour should separate him from the rest of Zambians when it came to elections. -The Post
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Feb 29 2008, 01:10 AM
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