FAZ President Keith Mweemba has broken his silence on the ongoing debate over the proposed shift of Zambia’s football calendar, saying he has not changed his position.
Mweemba, who has hinted the matter could be formally tabled at the next FAZ Annual General Meeting, dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had backtracked on his pre-election proposal to move the league from the rainy season to the dry season.
The FAZ president was speaking to councilors at the Muchinga AGM in Mpika yesterday.
Mweemba made it clear the issue has not yet reached the main decision-making stage and will only be considered at the national AGM scheduled for May. He said any change to the calendar will not be imposed by his office but decided collectively by the FAZ Council.
“If you read my manifesto, it is very clear that this issue will be subjected to democratic vote. The teams themselves, the councilors who are the owners of football will have to make a decision.” Mweemba said.
He reiterated that he does not have the authority to enforce such a change unilaterally and will instead defer to the will of football stakeholders.
“You read that part of my manifesto. I think most of you have it. Read that portion dealing with the change it calendar. We said this is not going to be an imposition. Because we can’t impose. I don’t have powers as President to impose. Democracy demands that the owners of football are consulted,” he said.
Mweemba questioned the rationale behind Zambia’s shift to the current calendar, adding that other countries have maintained their traditional systems.
Mweemba did not, however, hide his personal concerns about playing during the rainy season; citing safety and cost implications.
“If you ask for my personal opinion; my personal opinion is that we do not have infrastructure to be playing football in rainy season. It’s very risky to players, it’s dangerous to the health players. It’s expensive because games have to be abandoned to be played the following day; who meets the extra cost? Most clubs have no sponsors.” Mweemba said.
Mweemba emphasized that his opinion on the matter remains personal and will not influence the democratic process if the FAZ Council elects to debate the issue at the upcoming AGM.
The post Mweemba Maintains Stance on League Calendar Shift first appeared on Africa Top Sports.
