FAZ: All-Africa Games withdraw sad development
FAZ has described the Government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2011 All-Africa Games as a sad development because the country had been deprived of a great opportunity and infrastructure development.
An aerial view captured by the Zamfoot crew on December 1 2008.
FAZ vice-president Emmanuel Munaile said the association’s worry now was whether the Independence stadium would be completed in time.
Munaile said the Government’s decision to withdraw from hosting the All-Africa Games might put a halt to the rehabilitations at Independence stadium, as there would be no urgency to expedite works at the 44-year-old stadium that was earmarked to host both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 event.
“Our biggest worry is when the rehabilitation works at the Independence stadium will be completed. We don’t know whether it will be another Dag Hammerskjoeld because there will be no urgency to it,” he told the Times of Zambia in an interview.
An architecture impression of the 44 year old stadium which was set to be completed this December (2008).
Munaile said hosting international matches at Konkola stadium in Chililabombwe had been difficult for the association and was hopeful that hosting the All-Africa Games would help speed up works at Independence stadium that had its grand stand razed to pave way for a modern structure.
The above picture was taken in February 2008. A check by the Zamfoot crew on December 15, 2008 found workers on the site laying an artificial turf.
He said despite the difficulties the country was going through, withdrawing was not the best solution and that the Government should have found a better solution than pulling out.
“Of course we will be sanctioned and we don’t know yet what the penalty will be. The event could have given an opportunity for minor sports disciplines to be exposed,” he
Loading ...
this is sad news of corse,by hosting that event we can also develop the economy of the country.let the government realise the importance of such events
Who really thought we would host the Games? This is 88 all over again, its sad but we are who we are……….
Yes KK11, and who actually believes they are going to turn Independence stadium from the first picture to the second? We need to see it to believe it.
The first time i saw that architectural drawing earlier this year on Zamfoot i thought wow, but i was thinking this might too over ambitious. Over the course of the year i believe there were calls or plans to down size the plan?
So what’s the plan now?
Poor planning and lack of serious minded officials in GRZ. The lip service and the money fund riased will go the crooks hand. Diangamo and company are all crooks. Namulambe should tell the nation why he never advised cabinet about this in the initail planning stages.
KK11 and Seen From Afar, you summed it up very well. Indeed, who trhought the Zambian govt would build new infrastructure. I too doubted it much and even if they were to manage, it would be substandard. Surely, we deserve better stadia and not that pile of concrete at independence.
If only we could finally have Independence refurbished and the new Chinese stadium in Ndola, then we would be happy. I hope the govt does something.
The claims from government is that the quotes given from companies biding for the contract on Independence Stadium have all been to high. Is this true that the building work is overpriced or has the government just been stalling for whatever reason? What is the truth?
I would think these companies want the custom even if it is at a reduced profit, but it seems there are no on going negotiations. So at the moment no one is benefiting.
We await the next statement from government or even some of these companies.
Its sad but the ineptitude of the Gov is a reflection of us. I remember we were supposed to host 88 and they razed Dag! How are we ever as a nation going to move forward or even win the African Cup when we cant even put up a SIMPLE stadium?! Tazania has managed to build and ultra modern stadium, and talent wise cant measure up to us. But they can atleast display there skills in one of the best stadium on the continent. For the sake of the KK11 boys that died, you would think that a stadium in there memory would be built JUST TO SHOW HOW GRATEFULL WE REALLY ARE FOR THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE THEY GAVE TO US…….LIFE. Funny but when the sports minister and the lot see off the team they always ask the boys to die a little for Zambia, well my question to them and Faz is WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DIE A LITTLE FOR THE PLAYERS? I know i have gone off course here but i love my chipolopolo & i wonder if i will ever go back AND SIT IN THAT SAME SPOT AT INDEPENDENCE STADIUM where my father first took me when i was 8…….
Its a sad state of affairs indeed, we seem to fall deeper and deeper into the doldrums
Iliko bad pa Zed. Its a very sad development. I hop these politicians will still remain committed to building infrastructure.
Independence Stadium, that is the end bane.
It just tell us in Zambia that we are just a nation of talkers and less action on the playing ground.The government of late Levy Mwanawasa had just been talking of building new three ultra stadiums but until now none has been built .It is really lack of proper planning in Zambia and just look at how many stadiums have been built here in South Africa in a space of short period of time for the world cup.Zambia is still lagging behind because spend most of their time talking rather than acting.It is really a sad development to hear that Zambia has failed to host a major event again after the government of Kaunda failed to host African cup of nations in 1988.The legacy of Kaunda is still living on in Zambia.
What do you expect from politicians?? It’s all talk. We need new blood to run the affairs of our institutions. Such an embarassment!!!!!!!!! Chee!!!!
The Government was using money meant for infrastructure development on 2008 Presidential By-Elections.We need commitment to sports,and not just rhetoric.They sing,the Chinese are building a modern stadia in Ndola,Im sure this one is a flop as well.The Question is;why cant the Minister of Finance budget for about 1trillion kwacha out of the 12trillion kwacha budget so that we can build all these infrastructure once and for all?.Is it too difficulty to act in those lines?
Alexander Liwana, are you related to Righway (not sure spelling) Liwana? And if so where is he?
sad development indeed,it will come with heavy punishment.we might not see the under 23 participate in all africa games.there is just something wrong with this country.i wont be supprised to see the levels of sports go down in this country
Seen From Afar,
I strongly doubt that the contractors had been too expensive. I believe the govt just underestimated the costs through the Ministry of works of course.
Reason, is the last three or so tenderers who finally quoted were pre-qualified and govt looked at their strengths and track record to come up with the final list, after being satisfied.
The price quoted just goes to show how much expensive things in Zambia have become. I know for sure Structural steel and Iron roof sheets are one of the most expensive elements of a construction project, and these form the bulk of that canopy which is supposed to be erected. I stand to be corrected. By the way, its long time since we built a stadium proper, so we have no basis of cost comparison for govt to say the quotes were too high. Let’s hope they manage.
Eish, if the quotes from the local companies was too high, why not just move on then to a international company.
FAZ also, you cannot just sit on your a__s and wait for govt. What are you saying, if govt does jack you do jack??
C’mon guys, does none of you see how detrimental puling out of these sort of things is, our already struggling U23 maybe kicked out for 2 or 3 tournaments and yet we expect to have a strong team.
I am beginning to believe that money went into somebodys campaign and as such we have no stadium of international quality. Gosh!! we cant even say this is sad, it is beyound sad!
This shows how useless the MMD govt is. These people are thieves, they are not seriou about developing the country’s infrastructure. Zambia iletekwa nabakabolala.
I saw it coming.Who ever was at the front to bid for Zambia hosting the games must be disciplined cos the guy was in a dream land.It takes alot to host these games.
Not only do you need a Stadium but you need a Stadium with the latest state of the art telecommunications equipment. Imagine having Journalist from about more 50 African Countries this includes T.v,Radio,Print Media. I.T has to be at it’s best also.
The Stadium has to have dressing rooms with Showers around….. etc. We also needed to build a Modern Swimming Pool. I think the time was just too short for all this to be done.Like some of the guys said Politicians the full of talk & no action.
I saw it coming.Who ever was at the front to bid for Zambia hosting the games must be disciplined cos the guy was in a dream land.It takes alot to host these games.
Not only do you need a Stadium but you need a Stadium with the latest state of the art telecommunications equipment. Imagine having Journalist from about more 50 African Countries this includes T.v,Radio,Print Media & I.T has to be at it’s best.
The Stadium has to have dressing rooms with Showers around….. etc. We also needed to build a Modern Swimming Pool. I think the time was just too short for all this to be done.Like some of the guys said Politicians the full of talk & no action.
I made another long comment last night, today it seems to have vanished. Can you give me any explanation please Zamfoot? You can even email me: kaynegene@hotmail.com
Thank you.