By Godfrey Chikumbi in Kawambwa
May I begin by congratulating His Excellency the President Mr. Michael Sata on his election as our Republican President and Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) patron.
The year 2010 was a dark year for the Zambian football family as confusion and lawlessness almost plunged us into serious problems that would have made FIFA crack a whip on our football.
Little did many of the Zambians realize that the football turmoil that we found ourselves into; was fueled by the heavy hand of politicians. It was sad to note that only people who are not important in our football made screaming headlines in our daily tabloids at the expense of the most important person in the game of football, the player.
I say this with great disappointment in light of the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ)’s u-turn on the so called National Football League (NFL). There are more questions than answers asked by Zambians on why the u-turn. I join the rest in quizzing the NSCZ board to tell us what exactly happened. I should probably propose a commission of enquiry to enquire into the confusion at NASDEC.
I was called a cadre for Kalusha Bwalya because I together with a few friends and colleagues strongly opposed the toppling of a legitimately elected FAZ executive by a group of criminals and their cohorts who joined hands in trying to overthrow Kalu and his men. One of my uncles who is a police officer based on the Copperbelt warned me of an impending doom on me if I continued to openly support Kalu. He said this because he knew for sure that a very big fish in the country who wanted his children to take over FAZ was behind the confusion.
He said somebody’s child was interested in running the country’s FA as was evident by the imposition of the national team coach on FAZ. There were serious family ties that were involved in the whole FAZ fiasco.
You don’t need to sweat to point out that Chifumu Banda worked under instructions to demonize and lampoon Kalusha because some members of the executive in Emmanuel Munaile, Violet Bwalya, Henschel Chitembeya and Hilary Chipango had resigned. Following the quartet’s resignation, the media called Kalu ‘embattled’. Journalists did not realize that the FAZ constitution does provide for co-optation of new members in the event that some resign pending ratification by the council.
Simataa Simataa and his tandem of crooks at some point managed to convince the nation about the ‘sins’ of Kalu that guaranteed his crucifixion. Many were blindfolded including those who called themselves friends of Zambian football. Kalu appeared to be the most sinful football personality in Zambia. Some people were sponsored to parade themselves to speak and write what I would now commit to trash.
Some media houses went as far as South Africa to parade Danny Jordan to decampaign Kalusha when he vied for CAF executive committee member. He went against many people’s wishes to contest at CAF and had a resounding and emphatic victory. This shamed many.
Very few people amongst whom am saw through the thicket and were convinced that Kalu was innocent and never deserved to be attacked and provoked left, right and centre. We refused to associate ourselves with those who continuously insulted Kalu. Despite this, the man remained focused and clung to the FAZ top seat unshaken. I remember having chatted with Kalu on the eve of the Moba – turned Mubende FAZ AGM asking him whether he contemplated resigning to which he responded he was not ready to hand over power to some selfish and disgruntled individuals.
Having said this, it is now surprising that NSCZ chose to lie over telling the truth concerning the FAZ debacle. Am the happiest person today because Iam vindicated by my earlier write-ups in Kalu’s defence on this site. I didn’t defend the indefensible like some other people who put a barrel against their heads to defend lawlessness perpetrated by Chifumu Banda and his cohorts.
First of all, it was Chifumu Banda on record having opposed the registration of NFL saying that there was need for change of policy to accommodate the Kamanga –led NFL. It did not take time before we saw Chifumu Banda again making a u-turn by registering NFL. I wrote in one of my articles quizzing State Counsel Banda on what change of policy happened to register NFL. Today NSCZ has strongly told us through its spokesman, smart Mwitwa that NFL does not exist. What do they take us for? Do they think we are deaf to fail to hear what they told us. Is it not the same Mwitwa who told this nation that NFL had successifully been registered with the sports supreme body? Didn’t newspapers, radio, TV stations including blogs carry headlines concerning the registration of NFL? Somebody tell me please.
Those entrusted with the rare power to rule and preside over the affairs of national interest must not take us for granted. It is always bad to take people for granted. As we talk now, some people have learnt their political lessons as the nation transits into the new system. This nation witnessed the greatest deception and delusion by NSCZ. Who doesn’t know by now that Simataa Simataa had a wall against which he leaned? Government wasted our money on parallel FAZ AGMs. Who funded the two Mulungushi international conference centre meetings one of which was chaired by Hon. Luxon Kazabu? Who sponsored Simataa Simataa’s trip to Zurich? All the funds spent must be accounted for. Whoever spearheaded that nonsense must pay for it.
What was so surprising was that, even under extreme provocation, Kalu managed to forgive simataa Simataa amidst calls to ban him for life at the Mulungushi Rock of Authority in Kabwe. That is the man they have always give the arrogant tag. We all are regretting for not taming Simataa Simataa. Humility is a very rare commodity to come by. Kalu exhibited humility of the highest level by embracing his archenemies. However, the man together with his few faithfuls in Boniface Mwamelo, George kasengele, Erick Mwanza, Julio Chiluba and company could not manage to command public appealing. The media tried to delete the rich history at the back of the former African Footballer of the year of 1988.
In his keynote address to the delegates in Kabwe, Kalu made it clear that those who wanted to rid FAZ of him were to do so by way of the ballot. He wondered why people wanted to use the backdoor to enter FAZ. He was very right just like any other legitimately elected leadership cannot allow that.
We had information that the immediate past patron supported the Kamanga faction. Yes, NSCZ is a government wing that enjoys government funding; and so the body must bow to government’s pressure no matter what, which is wrong. Statutory bodies must try to be as neutral as possible so as to create a level playing field for everyone. There should not be influence of the slighetest from the powers that.
Now that everyone knows the truth about what happened a whip must crack at NSCZ. This will serve as a lesson to those who take people for granted. Culprits must be brought to book for Just to prevail. My appeal to FAZ is that they must now be preparing penalties to be meted out on the offenders.
Peace and reconciliation must now begin to reign at football house. It is time for fresh hair. Lastly, Iwish to wish the Chipolopolo boys good lucky as we take on Libya next weekend. Go Zambia go!!!
