FAZ has finalized the revised draft constitution to be tabled for approval at its ordinary Annual General Meeting in Lusaka on Saturday.
The revised document shows marked improvement to the one that was tabled at the Emergency Council Meeting last February.
Contentious issues such as the express recognition of gay rights, the dissolution of lower league teams and national representation of the executive committee have all been adequately taken care of virtually putting to rest the many arguments that arose in the process.
Article 3 which tackles discrimination in sport had in the earlier draft constitution expressly displayed support for homosexuality stating “…no one will be discriminated on account of sexual orientation…”
Sexual orientation is defined as a person’s identity in so far as their attraction for gender is concerned. It’s basically the subtle reference for homosexuality which is a criminal offence in Zambia.
That clause raised a firestorm in Zambian football circles and drew the attention of ordinary members of the public prompting Mofya Chisala, a Lusaka-based football administrator, to raise an objection at the ECM.
Chisala proposed that the clause be modified.
And in the revised draft constitution, Article 3 titled Neutrality and Non Discrimination has been modified to conform to Zambian values and laws.
In 3.1, it reads “FAZ is neutral in matters of politics and religion.”
In 3.2, the revised draft constitution states,
“Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”
Another contentious article which had set to dissolve lower league teams is now provided for in Article 21. The first draft had effectively striped Division 2 and 3s their voting rights rendering them amateur sides without giving clarity on the status of affiliation to provincial leagues.
The revised draft has, however, provided for the recognition of lower league teams. Article 21.1 states, “The Council is composed of 130 delegates and 90 votes…”
Subsequent parts of Article 21 distribute the voting allocation to all members of FAZ members with division 2 and 3 teams now represented by respective regions and are allocated 40 out of the total 90 votes available in the new Electoral College.
As well as Super Divisions teams, Division One teams will have 20 votes while the remaining 10 will be shared among the women’s league, referees, coaches, higher education, schools, futsal and beach soccer and the association representing players.
Election of the president will now be determined through a 50 plus one system with an option of second round where more than two candidates aspire for office and none meets the threshold.
Article 32 has increased the number of elected executive committee members to 13 from the current 9. Only three positions – president, vice-president & female member – will be contested at national level with the other 10 decided at regional level giving the FAZ ExCO a national character as each province will elect one official to sit on the board.
For the first time, the FAZ executive will be represented by individuals outside the line of rail. History shows that majority of ExCo members have been drawn from Lusaka and Copperbelt when the country has 10 provinces.
All aspiring committee members will need a minimum of five years as FAZ members at club level to qualify for election. FAZ has since increased the number of judicial bodies to four and are distributed as Disciplinary, Ethics, Arbitration and Appeals Committee.
The FAZ Council will meet in Lusaka on Saturday to adopt the new constitution failure to which Zambia risks a ban from international football.
Below is the final Draft Constitution
I mean its just normal not have gay rights….How do we play with both male and female..those who feel like they are women should play womens football olo netball….
FAZ Constitution wants goalkeeper sleep with defenders , midfielders fuuuck stickers, and coaches succvk FAZ leaders.
Close that FAZ please.
Nostradamus
Everything is a joke to you…are you just finishing pre-school? Its like those guys who used to sit at the back of the class and crack silly jokes all day.
Gays dont feel like theyre women, you primitive backward *****
I can’t see Kamanga in that picture ba LT
You being sidelined in silly debates with empty tins…of what discrimination is just that – leave the gays do what they want in private.
Comment: Yaba, bola naikosa. At least tewinako ka under20 Afcon. what is important is to win cups. Sorry! Njala yaninyokola. Angina mwana letani nsima na lumya nilye.
We don’t recognise gays in zambia. Period.
As well as Super Divisions teams, Division One teams will have 20 votes while the remaining 10 will be shared among the women’s league, referees, coaches, higher education, schools, futsal and beach soccer and the association representing players.
The statement above clearly indicates that the current FAZ Executive Committee in not interested to improve the Women football in Zambia. I feel women league must taken as important as Premier, division 1 and 2 leagues are we going to yield fruits. Women football in Zambia have not improved because of such pieces of legislation that pin them down.
If you are failing to articulate yourselves on issues of women league in Zambia please get in touch technocrats at Sports Council of Zambia or better consult with fellow football associations in…
The figure should 20 should be removed from Super Division and Division 1.otherwise it will mean when it is decided to increase or decrease the number of teams in Super and Division1 we shall have to amend the constitution.
It should read:Super division teams will have 20 votes and Division 1 teams will have 20 votes
Gays and Lesbians are they truly normal?