By MUKWIMA CHILALA and MICHAEL MIYOBA
DESPITE not being the Patriotic Front (PF) parliamentary candidate for Ndola Central outgoing Sports Minister Emmanuel Mulenga says he will not dump the ruling party.
Speaking after bidding farewell to the sports fraternity after his tour of duty as Minister of Sports came to an end following the dissolution of parliament, Mulenga said he would remain loyal to the PF and President Edgar Lungu.
Mulenga also noted that he would support the PF central committee’s decision not to re adopt him as Ndola Central Member of Parliament.
The outgoing Sports minister paid tribute to President Lungu for having given him the opportunity to serve the nation.
“As my tour of duty comes to an end temporarily, I want to thank President Lungu for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of Zambia. Let me also thank the Patriotic Front for giving me the opportunity to serve as Ndola Central Constituency MP. Let me also thank the people of Ndola Central for having faith in me and electing me as their representative;’’ Mulenga said.
“Congratulations to the newly adopted candidate Ms. Brenda Mwamba.
“Lastly, let me state that I have no plans of going independent or change the party but will still remain loyal to the Patriotic Front and available for President Lungu.
“I will help the adopted candidate in making sure that the PF retains the seat and the President returns to State House.”
Mulenga was appointed Sports Minster in July 2019 replacing Moses Mawere.
He is credited for having presided over the FAZ wrangles to which government through his ministry sought the intervention of FIFA to bring a ceasefire among the warring parties in football.
It was also under his term that the Zambia women’s national team qualified to the Olympic Games for the first time.
It was also under his reign that Zambia failed to qualify for a third consecutive AFCON despite government having engaged a foreign trainer to drill the Chipolopolo.
