Former World 400m hurdles champion Samuel Matete and ZAAA President Elias Mpondela have reconciled and agreed to work together in developing athletics in the country.
Matete said he realised that fighting in courts of law will not bring medals for Zambia.
“I have decided to put our differences and reconcile with Mpondela to see how best we can continue to develop athletics in the country,” Matete said.
He admitted that in the last five years, the Mpondela administration had improved its perfomances and worked hard to raise resources for athletes.
Matete believed his return to ZAAA would add more value as he desired to see Zambia win medals at the 2020 Olympics.
Mpondela said, “I am excited, its wonderful news for ZAAA, and we warmly welcome him to the athletic family.”
He said Matete had always belonged to ZAAA family and that it was just unfortunate that the two engaged into what he called unproductive fights.
The ZAAA President conformed that he has he an official letter from Matete’s lawyers requesting to drop the court cases.
Meanwhile, Samuel Matete has advised the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) to engage highly qualified coaches in the organisation in order to produce high caliber athletes who will effectively compete at International level.
Matete told ZANIS in an interview that ZAAA needs to employ qualified coaches, who will be able to train athletes to full capacity, if the country if to perform well at both local and International level.
He said athletes need to be closely monitored and continuously tested to ensure they are physically fit.
Matete’s concern follows speculations from sections of society, suggesting that the performance of Zambian athletes has gone down due to unqualified coaches being employed by the association.
Matete, who is a former 400 meters world champion holds an IAAF certified level 3 and 4 in sprints and hurdles, has also coached at the High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) in Mauritius.
The former athlete has since pledged to work with ZAAA in developing athletics in the country.
The picture shows that the guys are still fighting with the other man trying to stop Mpondela’s hand from stabbing Matete right at the stomach.
The other observation is that Matete looks hungry. ZAAA should give him food as the first symbol of reconcilliation
Mpodela is a sick puppy, just look at his jacket, matete looks hungry
I know you’re joking but most people don’t.
But seriously speaking Zambia has more to benefit from Matete than from Mpondela. In other words Mpondela is the past tense of Zambian athletics. Matete is the future.
there is no sport in zambia under pf. the afcon was work initiated under mmd. zambia will never win.a single event under pf.
Some people i think are possessed with demons that cannot be delivered. How has the story shifted to PF. either grow up and look for spiritual deliverance,,,,you cannot have so much hate and have a happy life.
if you cant see the relationship between sports and politics in zambia then maybe you are actually dumber than i originally thought. please read and follow current affairs then comment.
Nga AFCON U20 Boys, fipuku fyawinine?
Thats the way to Go Thumb Uppp!!!!
This mpondela guy should go.He is way too selfish and has been at ZAAA for way too long.He has nothing new to offer and must pave way for others.He is way too mean and selfish.I remember the way he was beating his wife like no man’s business,He is an enemy of progress
Nothing has improved please Matete give us another reason for with drawing your case. The truth is that athletics has remained stagnant period. Hope mpondela will not end up like great Kalu
There is someting fishy in ZAAA just like the way things were in FAZ. Why is Mpondela not wanting to leave office? there is free money!!!!! Zambia has not improved in terms of athletics compared to countries like Zimbabwe, Tanzaania, Ehtiopia etc. Uwamuyaya fyalipwa fumenipo? let others come on and show us how much they know. You have had more than ample time to do what dreams want but bwana time yafika fumenipo. Matete has contacts kuti abaice bakwatako ishuko. Bwana Mpondela why dont you want to leave office. You were ZAAA boss in Chiluba era, Mwanawasa, Banda,Sata and now Lungu!!! . You must be doing something else there that makes you fight so hard not to leave.SHAME on you.!!!!! Matete has withdrawn, limbi kuti bakulowa..fileke mwandi
Is Mpondela the life president of ZAAA? I remember when I was 6 years old he was president then, and now I am almost 56 years old and he’s still prezido!! Ni ya how??
I wish the upAndOWN would emulate Matete change of mind!! Going to court won’t improve things, but genuine dialogue and reconciliation will do!!
Issah hayato, sepp Blatter, Havalange and now Mpondela same category. The only achievement he can point at is intercompany relay which is not even recognised by IAAF.by the way how many medals did we reap from last Olympics
Its a bit too late Mpondela has eaten everything ..where is FIFA disciplinary committee when you need it in these organisations to slap a ban and $200,000 payment on this thief Mpondela!!
For sure Mpondela should go, how long are going to hold on to the post? Be sincere ba Mpondela naimwe ala!!
This sports association should come up with a term limit in their constitutions. Most of these administrators like mpondela are just there to continue eating because they know once they are out they will have no source of income and that’s why they like fighting tooth and nail to keep these positions. Just like the great galu how he fought to retain FAZ presidency and now we know why.
Please people Matete is not normal he took too many drugs during his athletics days. Just look the way the guy is looking like a sick person . Even Elias is also finished . in 2013 he gave a coaching job at OYDC and said he will never work the of ZAAA today. The man has a very active case in court against the ZAAA and how is going work out. his friends have refused to withdraw the case and join him. he even forgets want he did yesterday . Just bring him tv and hear what he will saying. He needs a lot of help ,now he is lonely without a based
Before you post anything make sure the drugs are out of your system. Did you see the unreadable nonsense you posted?
it is true the case against ZAAA has not been withdrawn from court. Matete got mix up thinking he was going to withdraw a lone and it was a group that sued ZAAA. Now l agree the man is not normal and he took too many drugs. How can one clear the hurdles when the matter before the court is still active . Infect it is one of the conditions by Elias that the matter should withdraw before the final reconciliation. the other sad is that it is not the executive of he has reconciled with ,but one man member Elias. The man has finished him self and he will be ZAAA president for being Judah Iscariot of athletics in Zambia
People are more evil than ood
People it is not about the English ,but the message of him taking drugs. He is not looking fit anymore and that is hoe drugs can do to some in sports