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Football Association of Zambia President Kalusha Bwalya has been accorded the Pilgrim award by the Island City of Goree in Senegal. The honour was conferred to Kalusha yesterday in recognition of his contribution to the game of football in Zambia, Africa and the entire world.
Speaking at a brief ceremony held at the Civic authorities building, Mayor, Augustione Senghor said the Island City has followed with keen interest the illustrious career of Kalusha Bwalya who in 1988 was voted African Footballer of the year.
“We are honoured to have such a distinguished Footballer on our Island. Every soccer loving Senegalese knows about Kalusha and remembers all that you have achieved. On behalf of this city and indeed on my own behalf I honour you with the Highest accolade that this historical Island can offer.You are now our Ambassador and a citizen of Goree” Senhgor concluded.
Other people that have been given this award include current United States of America President Barrack Obama former United States President George Bush and late Pope John Paul the second.
Goree Island also known as the Point of No return was a Slave Trading port from which over twenty millions Slaves were shipped into the Americas. To this date the Island has ancient buildings from which the illegal trade was conducted during one of the darkest periods in human history. UNICEF has since declared the island a world heritage site.
Earlier in the day Kalusha was taken on a conducted tour of the Island, situated five kilometers away from mainland Dakar. During this tour, the FAZ boss saw the holding holding cells and some of the paraphernalia used in capturing and detaining slaves.
Meanwhile the Island was yesterday gripped with excitement when news spread that the Zambian football icon was around. Several people greeted Kalusha and we happier when they realised they could talk to him in French.
One lady by the name of Bigue Ndoye was at a point of tears as she shook hands with her hero saying it is her hope that her male children can grow up and be like Kalusha.
“I am very happy that today I have met a great man. May God bless you forever and ever” Ndoye said.
Kalusha is in Senegal as Vice Chairperson of the Organising Committee of CAF U23 championships currently going on in the Senegalese towns of Dakar and M’Bour.
We are honoured to have such a distinguished Footballer on our Island. Every soccer loving Senegalese knows about Kalusha and remembers all that you have achieved. On behalf of this city and indeed on my own behalf I honour you with the Highest accolade that this historical Island can offer.You are now our Ambassador and a citizen of Goree” Senhgor concluded.
Other people that have been given this award include current United States of America President Barrack Obama former United States President George Bush and late Pope John Paul the second.
Goree Island also known as the Point of No return was a Slave Trading port from which over twenty millions Slaves were shipped into the Americas. To this date the Island has ancient buildings from which the illegal trade was conducted during…
Meanwhile the Island was yesterday gripped with excitement when news spread that the Zambian football icon was around. Several people greeted Kalusha and we happier when they realised they could talk to him in French.
One lady by the name of Bigue Ndoye was at a point of tears as she shook hands with her hero saying it is her hope that her male children can grow up and be like Kalusha.
“I am very happy that today I have met a great man. May God bless you forever and ever” Ndoye said.
I feel jealous..!!! He doesn’t deserve it. I think this is all fabrications!
A prophet is not respected in his own land. By the way Ba ACC are on the verge of investigating your Nike deal. Put your house in order otherwise you may seek Asylum in Senegal.
Congratulations my man. 😉
Goree Island, (a Point of no return for slaves),, of all places, why not Dakar?? just wondering!!!
Comment:great kalu, i hope i sweet day u be a caf presido or fifa
People(especially Zambians) don’t appreciate what they have till they loose it. Its sad to see how this great son of the Zambian soil is being torn to pieces day in day out without shame. Even those who have done nothing for Zambia, today are condemning Kalu for everything and for nothing. Check yourselves before vomiting your trash, on innocent people who are just patriotic and want the best for Zambia.
The FAZ he heads is rotten and incompetent. Harassed by bailiffs every month, suspect ticket sales, suspect kit deals. The list is too long. He was a great footballer, that does not mean we should support his incompetent running of FAZ, which is supposed to be self sustaing by now and contributing to the economy.
I m ashamed its the opposite here back home where he is insulted every day others he a thieve,what,others its tribalism,hatred,jeolus etc the truth he is supposed to be ~ just after winning the cup just as we did to the coach.he is the best faz president & zed will know when he leaves ~its not ok even one boxer was the same
When my tour of duty took to Dakar two years ago, one man I met on the shores of the Atlantic just went … “You’re from Zambia! … Kalusha Bwalya!”. It’s true Great Kalu is the face of Zambia in that part of the world. I’m not privy to his shortcomings, if any, as FAZ President, but I really pray he could consider stepping aside on a high note just like Mandela did. This would leave an indelible memory for generations to come that once upon a time Zambia had a great footballer who turned out to be a great football administrator with the Africa Cup to show for it!!
that is the great kalu I know though jealous minions are busy rosting him for there demonic agendas. Long live great kalu and congrats for the accolade my man.
Umwina Nkana,
I had a similar experience in Dakar, Senegal at one very large market. I was with a Tanzanian colleague. As soon as they learnt I was Zambian, the Senegalese mobbed me shouting: Kalusha Bwalya”, “Kalusha Bwalya”..
I also truly think he should retire from FAZ while the audience is still applauding like Mandela did. Doesn’t Kalusha surely have advisers or doesn’t he just listen?
In West Africa or even South Africa when you passing through Immigration to date stamp your Zambian passport,immediately immigration officers see the Zambian passport the first things or names they will mention to welcome you is Chipolopolo,Kalusha mbwalya,Christopher Katongo,Kennedy Mweene and Kalaba. Others (the older ones) will start with Kenneth Kaunda KK ”Zambie shall be Free.” These comrades of ours has made proud if only they can replicate that international respect back home and inspire the young ones then Zambia will be a great country to reckon with.
No one is jealous of KB, he was a great footballer.
But running FAZ is another issue. Zambians the world over love football. There is a ready market for Zambian kit and memorabilia. We have new stadia that are usually full, so why is FAZ broke ? This organisation is supposed to be driving grass-roots football in Zambia and contributing to the economy, but all we hear is Bailiffs pouncing on them every month, allegations of abuse of funds and infighting. One wonders, have they got a leader ? or are the honours bestowed on KB enough for us to accept and over look the fact that FAZ is broke and is supposed to be self sustainable and grass-roots football going in the right direction ?
Congrats great Kalu!
What most bloggers say here is all why government must put money in football. Government must pay for the FAZ expatriate coach because when Zambia is victorious on the football arena the PR the country receives far surpasses anything that our Ministry of Tourism will do.
The Ministries of information and tourism and commerce swallow more money than our football team but they do nothing to further our name internationally so Kambwili iwe football first everything else later.
Congratulations Great Kalu. You are still Great!!