By NDINAWE SIMPELWE and SANDRA MWILA –
THE Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation (ZABF) has deferred its elective annual general meeting (AGM) from this weekend to March 5.
ZABF general secretary Caesar Musuku in a letter copied to all its affiliates confirmed that the AGM had been delayed by a week and will be held at Pavilion Nyaka Lodge in Kabwe.
Musuku said that the deferment was as a result of the resolution made at a meeting held at the Ministry of Sports recently.
“Be informed that as directed during a recent meeting at Ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development, the federation’s AGM has been deferred by one week. The AGM will now be held on Saturday, 5th March 2016 at the Pavilion Nyaka Lodge in Kabwe,” Musuku’s letter read in part.
Musuku, however, said nominations for all positions still remained open until February 29 after which no nominations would be considered.
“Therefore, the secretariat shall receive nominations from eligible members until close of business on that date. Any nominations received thereafter shall not be considered.
“Kindly note that for eligibility, all affiliates need to settle outstanding fees by February 29, 2016, as agreed in that meeting,” the letter stated.
Musuku said he would release the names of nominees after the deadline and when all nominees had been scrutinised.
The Thomas Chileshe-led ZABF executive has received a backlash from its affiliates for alleged corrupt activities with the main members passing a vote-of-no-confidence.
Meanwhile, presidential hopeful Jack Mbewe has pledged to restore sanity in the embattled ZABF once elected.
Mbewe said at a Press briefing at 7 Eleven in Lusaka yesterday that he wanted to stand for the ZABF presidency so that he could bring about transparency and discipline. He said there was need to change the ZBF leadership, claiming that the current executive had failed to improve the sport.
Apart from backing Mbewe, MABA is behind Bright Chomba for the post of general secretary, Filimon Musonda as vice-general secretary and Kasonde Silwiza as treasurer.
And 7 Eleven yesterday pledged K10,000 towards the logistics for the elective AGM with company owner Jimmy Zimba handing out a K5,000 cheque to MABA fundraising committee chairperson Christopher Malunga with the balance to be paid by Friday.
G-Greens also joined the bandwagon with a donation of K1,000 to help meet the K25,000 budget unveiled to host the AGM.