The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is gearing up for its elective provincial assemblies, with Southern Province set to kick off the process today (Saturday). This marks the beginning of a 10-stop journey across the country, as outlined in the FIFA-approved roadmap.
The main objective of these assemblies is to elect the executive committee that will oversee football affairs in Southern Province for the next four years. The revised FIFA-aligned constitution mandates that FAZ holds elections in all provinces, with the chairperson of each provincial committee serving on the national executive committee.
In addition to the chairperson, other key positions to be filled include vice chairperson, women representative, youth representative, and committee member. The decentralization of FAZ and its presence in all 10 provinces highlight the importance of regional leadership in driving the football agenda and fostering connections between the regions and the national structure.
The four officials elected from Southern Province will have the opportunity to vote during the national elective AGM scheduled for March 29 in Livingstone. With all 10 provinces entitled to four votes each in the national election, FAZ is taking significant steps towards inclusivity and regional representation in the selection of national leadership.
The upcoming schedule includes elective congresses in Lusaka, Central, North Western, and Copperbelt on March 16, 17, 18, and 19, respectively. This will be followed by elections in Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Western, and Eastern provinces on March 20, 21, 22, 25, and 27, respectively.
While the focus of these assemblies is primarily on elections, they also provide an opportunity for members to discuss financial matters, approve budgets, reflect on the province’s football trajectory over the past year, and set goals for the future.
FAZ has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and accountability by providing its membership with a detailed roadmap since announcing the election date on December 21, 2024.
The climax of the electoral process will be the FAZ elective AGM in Livingstone on March 29, where five candidates are vying for the presidency. The incumbent, Andrew Kamanga, faces competition from Emmanuel Munaile, Francis Hafwiti, Keith Mweemba, and Adrian Kashala.
As FAZ continues its efforts to strengthen football governance and leadership at both regional and national levels, these provincial assemblies play a crucial role in shaping the future of Zambian football.
