National Olympics Committee (NOC) will tomorrow usher in a new executive to take charge of the affairs for the next four years.
Expectations will be high as members elect their preferred candidates to lead one of the most critical Olympic sports bodies.
With about two years left before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it will be imperative to have an executive that will spearhead the Vision 2020 which I believe will produce medals in Japan.
While all the positions are potently set to have new office bearers, the most interesting position is that of the president.
It will be interesting to see who takes over from iron lady Miriam Moyo, who is not recontesting the position she has held since October, 2005 after taking over from veteran sports administrator and International Olympic Committee board member Patrick Chamunda.
This top position which earlier was a two-horse race between Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) president Elias Mpondela and Zambia Judo Association (ZJA) president Alfred Foloko has attracted another contestant in Colonel Mwiinde Apuleni Muchimba, who at one point served as Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) general secretary.
All the three candidates possess their unique experience and leadership qualities although Mpondela and Foloko are not new in the NOC.
They both serve on the outgoing executive board as committee members while the Zambia Air Force colonel will ride on his experience at SCZ as well as the various military sports positions.
Incumbent vice-president Gabriel Muyinda is being challenged by out-going general secretary Hazel Kennedy and Zambia Boxing Federation (ZBF) president Kennedy Mubita.
Kennedy has served as general secretary from 2005 and is seeking a higher executive position although her current state remains the key position as head of the secretariat.
Muyinda, who was elected in 2013, has only served for one term while Mubita who is less than a year as ZBF president wants to try his luck.
Handball Association of Zambia (HAZ) outspoken Secretary Josab Changa faces NOC treasurer and technical committee chairperson Boniface Kambikambi for the post that will be left vacant by Kennedy.
HAZ boss Victor Banda and Zacky Zimba will contest the post of treasurer while those vying for position of board members are incumbent Geoffrey Chawinga and Leah Namukonde, Zambia Volleyball Association (ZAVA) president Nakaonga Kakoma, Zambia Swimming Union (ZSU) president Guy Phiri, ZBF secretary Bright Chomba and Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) president Shawki Fawazi.
All these candidates have what it takes to be in the executive but the choice is limited in as far as bringing change is concerned.
All but one current executive member of the committee are seeking re-election with most of them aiming for higher positions than they currently hold.
Most of these aspiring candidates have the capacity to be in the executive but the choices are limited as far as change is concerned.
Change is inevitable but the same change can bring distraction if not applied wisely.
While it is imperative for fresh blood with fresh ideas to be given a chance, it will also be important for affiliates to critically analyse the credentials of these candidates before entrusting them with these positions.
Administrators should learn to pave way for others to leave than holding on to positions even when their input becomes invalid. In the same vein, change should not be made for the sake of it.
I expected the election to be highly contested but from the approved list of candidates, it is clear that little change will be experienced.
My appeal is to affiliates to make wise decisions and vote on credit even with limited choice or they will only have themselves to blame for putting sport in harm’s way.
All the best to contestants and may the best candidates win.
My colleague Samuel Lukhanda will take over your favourite column starting next week as I take a short break but let’s interact at eliaschipepo@gmail.com. Ciao.