FORMER Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) executive committee member Blackwell Siwale has praised Sports Minister Emmanuel Mulenga’s initiative aimed at fostering unity and reconciliation in Zambian football.
“From the word go, I thank the Minister for coming up with this initiative as way of bringing everyone together and I hope our colleagues will follow what was agreed and if they don’t then they will just be exhibiting selfishness,” Siwale said.
And Siwale has called on the FAZ executive committee to follow what was agreed in the stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC).
The minister announced on Saturday that all football stakeholders had agreed to hold an Emergency Council meeting aimed at addressing the wrangles that had rocked the sport.
Siwale said that the route and initiative taken by the sports minister should be recommended that it was meant to bring about reconciliation.
The Chingola based soccer administrator said calling for an emergency meeting was in the best interest of football in Zambia.
Siwale, however, expressed concern at comments attributed to the FAZ vice president stating that an emergency meeting would not be held because FAZ would only follow FIFA guidelines.
“In the spirit of give and take why should they be going back against what was agreed with their colleagues? That would amount to selfishness,” Siwale said.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga, his deputy Rix Mweemba, General Secretary Adrian Kashala, banned officials Simataa Simataa, Blackwell Siwale, Damiono Mutale and suspended executive committee member Elijah Chileshe were among those that attended the stakeholders meeting held at NASDEC.