FAZ AGM blesses Kabwe with business
By Thandizo Banda
A CRITICAL shortage of accommodation has hit Kabwe District in Central Province as it hosts the much-anticipated Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) elective annual general meeting (AGM) slated for this Friday.
A snap survey by The Mast found that most hotels and lodges are fully booked as over 400 delegates, including officials from
FIFA, CAF and COSAFA expected to attend the AGM.
The hospitality sector has taken advantage of the peak period by hiking prices for bed spaces by over 50 per cent.
The Kabwe meeting follows the cancellation of the initial FAZ elective AGM in Livingstone on March 29 after a court injunction.
The reconvened AGM will now be held on Friday, May 9, starting at 09:00 hours at Misuku Lodge in Kabwe.
The decision follows a guide from FIFA for the FAZ elections to be held within 21 days after the initial Livingstone AGM was halted.
And Kabwe Mayor Patrick Chishala has welcomed prospective candidates and delegates to Kabwe, wishing them peaceful and successful elections.
“We warmly welcome them to the City of Salvation, Kabwe and wish all the contestants the very best and may the best candidates triumph,” Chishala said.
Kabwe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) vice- president Tabonga Kalabi said the organisation was delighted to host the high level delegation of the football fraternity.
Kalabi urged the business community to take advantage of various business opportunities arising from the FAZ AGM.
“We, however, urge our members to trade carefully during this peak period as over pricing potentially pushes away prospective business,” she said.
And Central Province commission of police Charity Munganga appealed to delegates to maintain peace and order whatever the outcome of the elections might be.
“We have enough officers on standby to handle whatever situation may arise during the football general meeting,” Munganga said.
Three hopefuls, including incumbent Andrew Kamanga will jostle for the prestigious FAZ presidency.
Others are Lusaka lawyer Keith Mweemba, former FAZ vice president Emannuel Munaile and former FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala.
