PELAMPI ANGERS GOVT
By Thandizo Banda
GOVERNMENT has warned football fans against turning stadiums into centres of political confrontation following chants of pelampi during a league match involving Nkana and Makeni All-Stars at Nkana Stadium on Saturday.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts permanent secretary Kangwa Chileshe said the chanting of political slogans during the Nkana FC and Makeni All Stars game was unacceptable.
Chileshe said government was not happy with what transpired on Saturday at Nkana.
He said sport must not be used as a platform for advancing political agendas.
Chileshe said such conduct undermines the spirit of sport and risks turning football grounds into centres of political confrontation.
“Allowing political activities at football matches could provoke rival groups, thereby creating unnecessary tension and potentially leading to violence,” he said.
He said stadiums must remain safe spaces for players, officials and supporters.
“And no one should engage in conduct that threatens peace and order at sporting events,” he said.
Chileshe has since called on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), the Zambia Premier League (ZPL) and clubs to take firm action against such conduct.
“They must warn and caution their supporters, strengthening sensitisation efforts and ensuring that political chants and activities are not tolerated at matches,” he said.
He said clubs must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and that the incident at Nkana Stadium must not be allowed to set a precedent.
“Sport is a national asset that must be protected from political interference. Nkana supporters must not repeat such behaviour. All stakeholders must uphold discipline, respect and sportsmanship. Football grounds must remain places where Zambians come together to support their teams, not spaces for political mobilisation or confrontation,” he said.
On Saturday, Nkana fans started chanting pelampi after the team beat Makeni All-Stars by 4 goals to 1.
