By SANDRA MWILA –
THE Restructuring of the Premier League was yesterday enacted into law by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) councillors during a reconvened Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Government Complex in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya has warned members and non-members of stern action over prior events that characterised the AGM and that his silence should not be taken as a sign of weakness.
The proposal to have the Premier League restructured was unanimously adopted by the councillors that came in numbers from all provinces to decide the fate of Zambian football.
With no objection from the councillors, especially those that made noise by objecting the proposal through the media, the move takes effective immediately as only two teams from the Super League will be demoted and four promoted from the Division One League which will have four zones.
The Division One League will have Zone One comprising Luapula, Copperbelt and North-Western while Zone Two will have Lusaka and Eastern provinces. Zone Three will have Northern, Central, Muchinga and Zone Four will comprise Southern and Western provinces.
FAZ Division Three Lusaka side, Matero East Academy secretary Jairous Siame proposed the agenda to the house stating that those who would oppose the motion were enemies of football.
“I propose to the restructuring of league motion and I am urging my fellow councillors to adopt this motion, opposing this agenda is being an enemy of football,” Siame said.
FAZ Division Two Lusaka side, Golden Milling secretary Daniel Tembo seconded the motion which was thrown to the floor for objection but all councillors agreed to the motion.
Kalusha asked the councillors twice if there was any objection to the proposal but the councillors shockingly remained mute.
Prior to the reconvened AGM, controversy surrounded the agenda with councillors saying the restructuring motion was defeated at the March 28 AGM in Kabwe and could not be discussed.
Others argued that the agenda was a new item and was different from the one, Northern Province Football Association (NOPFA) proposal, which was to restructure Division One North to avoid play-offs.
Kalusha thanked the councillors for their wise decision to enact the restructuring of the Premier League into law, saying that the new league would promote competition among clubs.
FAZ executive committee member Happy Mukondya earlier explained to the councillors before the motion was taken to the floor that restructuring of the league would raise the levels of football off and on the pitch.
Mukondya said the new league would address key components of football development and that the new system would widen the platform for clubs. He said the new league would reduce costs for Division One teams and that football would no longer be concentrated along the line of rail.
Meanwhile, Kalusha said stern measures would be put in place next week against FAZ members and non-members that had brought the name of football in disrepute.
“We have followed closely some events that have brought football into disrepute. Our silence should not be taken as weakness. Next week steps will be taken to restore order. This is a warning to all, whether FAZ members or non-members,” Kalusha said.