Three officials resign from the Football Association of Zambia
Three leading officials have resigned from their posts at the Football Association of Zambia.
Committee members Henshel Chitembeya, Pivoty Simwanza and Violet Bwalya held a press conference to announce the reason for their departure.
The officials highlighted “the lack of transparency and consultation” as the reason behind their resignations during the press conference in Lusaka.
Much of the officials grievances were to do with the FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya and his authoritarian approach.
The incident will come as unwelcome condemnation on African football and its role in relation to corruption.
It follows a turbulent few months when Togo attempted to fake playing an international match in Bahrain by fielding a team that had no Togo players in it.
Violet Bwalya said: "We are the decision makers but most of the things we discuss are not implemented, so why should I be there?"
She added that their grievances with Kalusha Bwalya were over numerous incidents, his approach and methods.
"On the pitch he did very well. He's a legend, an icon who brought glory to Zambia and I always tell him that," she said. "But when it comes to administration, we are at different levels."
In response to the press conference Kalusha Bwalya was adamant that he had done nothing wrong and that it was his three colleagues who sought to undermine him and his leadership.
"Unfortunately, this has been taken by some to mean weakness on my part," the FAZ president commented.
Kalusha Bwalya believes that his management style has always included reconciliation, inclusiveness and that he has always had a good dialogue with all the officials working within the FAZ.
The 1998 African player of the year said that it was necessary for all football administrators "to rise above pettiness and stop attacking individuals."
Kalusha Bwalya will be placed under scrutiny in how he runs the FAZ, which is in turmoil after the resignations.
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