NO INTEFERENCE
By Cecilia Nayame
MINISTER of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa says Government will not interfere in the affairs of football, urging councilors to vote for candidates of their choice during the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) elective annual general meeting set for March 29.
Speaking when he officiated at the Southern Province FAZ provincial elections in Choma yesterday, Mweetwa expressed confidence that councillors would vote for the best candidates who would contribute to the development of the sport in the country.
Mweetwa, who is Chief Government spokesperson, expressed confidence that the FAZ electoral process would deliver a credible, free and fair election.
“As Government, we will not interfere in the affairs of football in this country. We respect the relationship we share with the football fraternity, that is why this Government has never and will never interfere in the affairs of football,” Mweetwa said.
He commended the FAZ executive committee for its achievement in promoting women’s football in the country.
Mweetwa, who is Choma Member of Parliament, commended the Francis Hafwiti led executive committee for its contribution to promoting football in Southern Province.
Meanwhile, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has urged those who will be elected to various positions to make the respective provinces financially independent.
“Our appeal to leadership in the next cycle is that they should strive to make provinces financially independent,” he said.
“Today, each one of the 10 provinces has a fully-fledged FAZ office that drives the football agenda in all the regions. Through decentralization, we have seen talent scouts from the provinces unearth players for various national teams,” he said.
He wished all candidates well during the elections.
Meanwhile, Hafwiti commended the FAZ executive committee for the support rendered to him during his term.
FAZ elections kicked-off yesterday with provincial elections in Southern Province.
FAZ presidential aspirants Keith Mweemba and Adrian Kashala were part of the delegates who attended the elective AGM at Twin Cave Lodge in Choma.
Mweemba, Kashala, Hafwiti and former FAZ vice president Emmanuel Munaile are challenging Kamanga for the top position.
By press time, the Southern Provincial elections were still underway.
