By SANDRA MWILA –
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will with effect from next season take over the responsibility of paying referee fees for Division One and other lower division leagues.

. Kalusha

FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya said at the reconvened Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Government Complex in Lusaka that Division One, Two and Three clubs would no longer be required to pay officiating fees.
Clubs were required to pay about K600 for referees officiating games, with referees coming from within the town being paid K95 while those from outside town pocketing K195 or more depending on the town they are coming from.
“With effect from 2016, Division One clubs and other lower division clubs will not be required to pay officiating fees for referees. FAZ will take up that responsibility,” Kalusha said.
Kalusha said the football family was special and by working together they could influence society in a better way. He said football united people and that there was need to safeguard the integrity of the game.
“We are a special family, stronger together and we can influence society in a better manner. Football brings unity and there is need to safeguard the integrity of the game,” he said.
Kalusha spelt out some of the successes recorded this year, among them being the Chipolopolo playing high-profiled international friendly games, and the Government endorsing the hosting of the 2017 Under-20 Africa Youth Championship.
He named other successes scored as carrying out of administrators’ courses in provinces and that the league had progressed well, which was an indication of a secure football future.