Former Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Vice President Kalusha Bwalya is the new president for the organisation.
And Kalusha has pledged to fulfill aspirations and desires of soccer loving Zambians by ensuring that his new executive, made up of mainly former footballers and administrators, works hard and deliver the wishes and asiparations of the nation of making Zambia a great footballing nation.
Returning officer Elijah Mendie declared Kalusha as the duly elected new FAZ president after polling 120 votes. 197 votes were valid out of the 199 votes cast. Two votes were spoilt.
” I, Elijah Mendie with the powers vested upon me in accordance to the FAZ constitution and the FIFA regulations do here by declare that the said Kalusha Bwalya is the duly elected President of FAZ executive committee,” said the returning officer.
Former FAZ president Teddy Mulonga polled 66 votes while Lusaka Dynamoes Proprietor Anif Adams polled a partry 11 votes.
Immeadiatly the results were announced , shouts and ululations thronged the entire hall at the Mulungushi International Conference Center’s old wing.
Kalusha was carried shoulder high by his supporters who had powdered him with mealie meal, which is a traditional way of cheering and congratulating.
Independent Malole Copntituency Member of Parliament Emmanuel Munaile beat his foes to become the new Vice President while the position of Treasurer was won by Ndola based Boniface Mwamelo.
The executive committee comprises of out spoken soccer commentator and analyst Macha Chilemena, Pivot Simwanza, Lemmy Nkuwa, Keegan Chipango, Angel Chitembeya and Violet Bwalya.
The elections of the new FAZ executive committee was held under a serene environment amidst tight security by the alert Zambia police officers who combed the venue.
And speaking in his address to the councillors from all corners of Zambia, Kalusha urged his executive members not to ‘honeymoon’over their victory but to work hard to fulfill Zambia’s aspirations of becoming a great footballing nation she was known some time back.
He was quick to advise the victors and the losers in the elections to bury their differences and unite to fulfill the Zambian dream of becoming a great footballing nation once again.
He thanked the councillors for the great confidence they have shown in him by electing him to the FAZ high post. he said his executive would follow its ‘ eyes on the ball’ motto to deliver.
Mulonga who earlier exhibited great confidence of returning the seat was conspiciously absent after it became apparent to him that he had lost the seat to ‘Kalu.’
However Adams lamented in an interview that he did not expect that the FAZ elections could be held in what he called ‘a political manner’ as candidates with money had campaigned using their monies thereby disadvantaging others.
He however urged the new executive to work hard and develope Zambian football.
The new Vice FAZ President on his part said the results were good as he expected to win adding that they ( the results) were good rewards for hardwork.
Asked if his new position wopuld not clash with his political calling, Munaile who has background of being a footballer and administrator, said there would be no problem in combining the duties.
He said football elections results were determined by councillors saying it was good for the Kalusha led executive to pay back to by developing soccer.
However, his losing mate Joseph Nkole expressed shock at the results saying he was confident of winning after he had campaigned vigorously for the position.
On the other hand, Nkole encouraged the new executive to work hard and ensure that football standards improve and continue were the Mulonga led executive left.
