MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
FAZ says it has already done its homework in preparation for the inaugural National Division One league which begins in August this year.
Deputy general secretary Joseph Chimpampwe told the Sun Sport that the association had already done its homework and was ready for the newly introduced league, contrary to concerns raised by some stakeholders.
Former FAZ executive committee member Blackwell Siwale was on Thursday quoted by the Sun Sport saying that the National Division One League was bound to fail as it would result in un-played games as a result of geographical and financial constraints.
However, Chimpampwe said the league would be a success because his association would do partial club licencing for all the teams in order for them to meet all the criteria involved in playing in such a competition.
“Ideally, we I’ll do partial club licensing which will be a requirement. So based on that we should be able to manage,” he said.
Chimpampwe said on Friday FAZ had had the initial meeting and what was supposed to happen was that assessment were made from the submissions.
He said next week his association would be assessing all the lower division teams to ascertain whether they would qualify to play in the lower tier competition.
He said the National Divisional One league was a test and that his association was committed to making sure it succeeded.
Chimpampwe said that was the case with the just-ended transitional league, which had also attracted some concerns from stakeholders before its commencement.
The national division would therefore succeed.
“Challenges will also be there. We are not saying that it is a guaranteed success, but it’s a learning process and challenges will always be there. But you have to be bigger than the challenges,” he said.
The National Division One league starts in August and will comprise teams in the zonal leagues between second and fourth positions on the respective log of the just ending zonal leagues.
