Draft FAZ constitution inclusive – Siame

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 09:49:49 +0000

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

MATERO United has expressed satisfaction with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) draft constitution which will be presented at the soccer body’s annual general meeting this Saturday.

The Division One side club chairman Jarious Siame commended the legal committee for including the concerns raised by the councillors during last month’s extraordinary meeting held at Government Complex in Lusaka.

Siame implored councillors to support the adoption of the draft constitution and save Zambia from the shame of FIFA suspension.

“It is sad that we have some individuals aiming to stop the adoption of the draft constitution even when they are aware that failure to do so will lead to Zambia being suspended. I urge the officials not to be swayed by such individuals and put Zambia first,” he said.

He disclosed that the legal committee included the proposal of having a 13- member council composed of FAZ executive committee members instead of nine as in article 32.

“The legal committee adhered to our concern and agreed to adjust the executive committee composition to 13 from nine. This means we will have one representative from each province in the executive committee. The province will be tasked to vote for their leader who will be in the executive committee.

“This means the council will be voting for only the president, vice and female member of the exco. In this way, the fear by some provinces that they will not be well represented is done away with,” he said.

Siame was happy that the proposal to have all the football entities affiliated to FAZ was in the draft constitution.

“I know we have to reduce the Electoral College from 350 to 80, which has brought so much debate and fear among the lower divisions. But we have to conform with the FIFA statutes, hence the need to support it and work around ways of having equal representation,” he said.

And Ndola official Watson Mwale said Saturday’s meeting was crucial as it will change the landscape of the game.

“Adoption of the draft constitution is a serious matter which needs the output of everyone. I urge the councillors to attend the AGM,” he said.

FIFA has given FAZ until March 31, 2017, to make amendments to its constitution or risk Zambia being suspended from taking part in international engagements.