ZAMBIA Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) president Elias Mpondela yesterday retained his position unopposed during the association’s elective annual general meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Almost the entire executive committee members retained their positions in the elections that were earlier surrounded by controversy when two presidential aspiring candidates, Kennedy Mubanga and Jonathan Chipalo were denied entry into the proceedings of the AGM.
Mubanga and Chipalo both of OCAF athletics club were barred from attending the meeting and were only called in at the time of elections when the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) sports development officer James Kunda requested.
Kunda, who was the returning officer, requested the duo be allowed in to exculpate themselves when it came to light that both were not eligible to contest.
General secretary Phil Kubombela, who also retained his position, said Mubanga, the senior sports development officer at the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development was not eligible to stand and needed clearance from his employers.
But Mubanga defended his position, citing other officers at the ministry who are also serving as executive committee members in different sports associations.
After a 15-minute debate on the legitimacy of Mubanga’s candidature, the councillors agreed that he challenges Mpondela but his nomination was later thrown out, leaving Mpondela as the sole candidate for his position.
Chipalo, whose suspension was lifted by the NSCZ, refused to attend the meeting even after he was called saying he needed to consult his club.
Chipalo was denied entry into the meeting as he was allegedly perceived not to be in good standing with the association.
He, however, indicated that he will appeal and did not hide his displeasure over what transpired.
“This is unacceptable, we should not operate like this,” he said.
The top three positions were retained by incumbent candidates that had Lieutenant Colonel-Godwin Chenda retaining the vice-presidency after amassing a total of 45 votes against his only rival George Goma who managed 34 votes.
Goma also contested for the general secretary’s position but was beaten by incumbent Kubombela who amassed 54 votes against Goma’s 22 while Joackim Nyoni managed a paltry five votes.
Davison Mung’ambata got a massive 59 votes against Christopher Chaponda’s 18 to retain his treasurer’s seat.
The vice general secretary position went to Maureen Nkolomwe who got 56 votes against Joseph Chikolokoso’s 25.
Committee members are Vincent Kaposa (57), Getrude Gamela (50), Moses Phiri (49) and Mutale Mpepo (33).
Mpondela thanked the council for their confidence in him and pledged to continue taking athletics to greater heights.
The long-time serving ZAAA president said his executive intends to strengthen relationships with the corporate world in its bid to develop the sport.
“We want to ensure we strengthen our relationship with the business community,” he said.
[Zambia Daily mail]
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REPAIR A POTHOLE ON A ROAD TO STATE HOUSE? I THINK YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ZAAA CHIEF AS LONG AS THAT PARTY IS IN POWER
UMMMMMM!!!! Mpondela is still the president???? This man has been ZAAA president for decades now. Napapa sana!!!!!!!!!!
Why not bring in the ‘no third term close’ in the constitutions of all clubs and associations – NGOs included. Let us borrow something from the politicians for once.
Has Mpondela now become ZAAA life president??
Here is another Galu, modus operandi is no different, why inform opponents on day of election that they are ineligible?? Even worse exclude they form attending the crucial aspects of the meeting!! This guy just wants to lay defenceless girls whose way to success is through sport – obviously with favours of the flesh demanded by this chap!! Born again crap!!
Kalu~~~Legend
Mpondela~~~dictator
Mulonga~~~Fool
Chipungu~~~dull
Is anything ever done the right way pa zed, even in simple institutions like ZAAA you still find such crap, what a mess we are destined for!!!!!
Well, if Faz and Galu are running the association thru dubious means why not Mpondela. Things have gone crazy in Zambia to the point that even sports associations are being run like political organisations. Blocking other members into the building? really? Mpondela winning for 4th term. Where is Matete to rescue ZAAA.
seemingly successful men in zed act very irrationally!
this pervert wife batterer.wife snacher thriving on arvs has no morals to give chance to others. Its all for money
St.upid irrational bastard wants to rule ZAAA forever. Just making money through his visionless Intercompany relayin the name of ZAAA. Away with ZAAA for now
Mpondela is the most corrupt Zambian I know on this earth. Isn’t this the same guy who is CEO for National Housing Authority? Ask me what is going on there as well. But all this will catch up with him soon in the future. It is very *****ic the way selfish people and thieves operate, they never think about future consequences even when examples to learn from are plenty. In the end, it is his family who will end up suffering while he will escape the suffering through a sudden heart attack from depression and high blood pressure when the cases start raining on him. This guy is the worst sports administrator in the country. Athletics is the worst performing sports sector in the country, actually embarrassing. Bloody *****.
This makes sure he will continue distributing vih and sdia to innocent young girls who want to get on the national sports scene….cos they will have to be ‘screened’ first using his infected kcid.
Tolerance of corruption has sprang, spread and infected all well meaning institutions in our country. The MMD and its government have endorsed corruption as a normal social value. You know that Mpondela is an MMD cadre and sympathizer for greed and selfishness.It is now normal to openly get away with abuse of office without the law following you. The double standards being exhibited in our social systems are very unfortunate. The government is the breeder of corrupt practices and why complain of its off-springs. Mpondela will get away with it because he wines and dines with the perpetrated of the vice. Zambia is swimming in unprecedented social, economic and political injustice. I remember him giving us a motivational talk when I was still a student at UNZA. He is doing the opposite.
Our sports are becoming more political. What is keeping some pipo in ZAA are annual events such as Company Relay. How has ZAA been accounting for such funds. I hope those funds do not end up in a few executive members pockets. ZAA is another sporting body that receives alot of funding.