November 26, 2009
The main stakeholders-The Fans- have been putting pressure on FAZ to deliver results.
By DaMwiinger
Below is a letter I sent to FAZ spelling out why I think they should resign. Needless to mention I haven’t received a response.
It’s difficult for us fans to have any say in the way the game is being run in Zambia and we rely on you journalists to air these views in the hope that FAZ will take our views on board. If it’s not too much to ask, I would like for my views to be aired on Zambianfootball.net
Dear Sir,
As a citizen of Zambia and an ardent fan of our football national team, I would like to register my displeasure on how your association is running the affairs of the game. As much as it is true that every human being should be given a chance in any sphere of their endeavours, it is even more important for every human being to realise where their capabilities end and do the honourable thing whatever that may be. In matters of management, it is imperative that those at the helm are clear about their limitations and take the necessary measures to address them. In some circumstances, the appropriate measure is to relinquish their positions and let those with the requisite skill-set take the reign. Based on the factual information I have highlighted herein, I believe you and your executive has reached that stage.
1. London debacle: For the first time in the history of Zambian international football, college students playing amateur football had to be drafted in our national team to play in the most high profile friendly match Zambia has ever played. What would have been the best forum to showcase Zambian football turned out to be the worst embarrassment our country has ever faced as far as football management is concerned. Never in my life have I ever regretted being a Zambian like I did at the Match room stadium on 12 August 2009. This is all thanks to how your administration runs our football. Only your attitude to this unfathomable disaster beats the worst form of mismanagement Zambia has ever seen.
2. Vision/strategy for the game: It is clear to any Zambian with half a brain that your administration has no clue what direction our football should take. At best, all you have are castles in the air with no proper strategy on how you shall implement them. The president of your association has mentioned on more than one occasion that he will be making “ground breaking” announcements about our game but all this has come to nothing. You have failed lamentably to articulate your vision for the game to the major stakeholders in the game-the Zambia fans. Your website is full of empty meaningless statements on what you want to achieve and yet nothing to show for it on the ground.
3. Corporate governance: Your association has been dogged with a number of suspicious transactions key of which is the Mayuka transfer saga of which the truth is not known to us fans to date. In the 21st century, one of the key performance measures of management is its corporate governance. Your administration is marred by allegations of corrupt practices and behaviour not akin to persons who hold positions of trust. A lot of lies have been said by your administration. The conflicting statements and repeated lies told to many soccer fans, myself included, about the London game are the best example of this. Infighting and finger-pointing were also exhibited; characteristics that we have come to associate with a girl guides camp. Your executive members, including your president, have exhibited insulting levels of childish arrogance. Your president’s recent remarks labelling Zambian journalism “yellow” are but one example of such. His, and the rest of your executive’s attitude in the Mayuka investigation is another. It is clear that your executive lack the requisite public relations skills that are required for people in your positions.
4. National team players welfare: Under your administration, the national team has been subjected to arguably the worst ever kind of conditions that a Zambia national team player has ever experienced. There are reports of four players sharing a mosquito-infested, dilapidated hotel room prior to the Egypt game. What’s worse, the coaching staff apparently stayed in different hotel away from the team. That must be the oddest way of building team spirit. Players don’t get paid their allowances and they receive an insulting K10,000 daily allowance!!! And when these issues are raised, your president calls it yellow journalism and calls players “unpatriotic”. What a load of no sense!!! Anyone who has the slightest people management skill would never utter such. What pride is there in adorning a jersey that falls apart on the field of play? And yet they are expected to be patriotic?
5. Results on the pitch: Under your administration, Zambia has slept to the worst ever FIFA rankings thanks to a poor run of results under the coach that you appointed. Losing at home has become a norm under your administration.
The above are but a few reasons why I believe you should do the right thing and resign from your position and let other people run the game. You have brought nothing but shame and embarrassment to every Zambian and you are clearly not taking our game in the right direction.
We only have one Zambia and we shall not stand aloof and watch while you are destroying the game that means so much to this our beloved country.
22 Comments on "Blog: Open letter to FAZ"
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Sibs on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 4:17 PM
Wow! This was a well written letter Damwiinger. Though sad to say that these guys don’t have the guts to resign let alone reply to your letter.
To some being in Faz is to earn a living and not service . Shame !!
Ba Muzo on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 4:22 PM
Let them who have ears hear. Da Mwiiinger has spoken and spoken well.
AMANDO on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 5:00 PM
The guy has a point i was one of the soccer fans who was so happy that king kalu has scoped the presidency of faz thinking the man was going to organise high profile friends for our team, attache our players to europe, bring professionalism in the game, especially when it comes to players camping, allowances, team spirit ,because he has been a national team player before and has travelled all over the continent and i thought what he went through when he was a player such as bad camping facilities, poor allowances, players buying their own tickets he was going to avoid at all cost but this has not been the case.to date iam one of the most dissapointed fan of king kalu. the man is so busy is SA and can not run Football using a remote control and what i have discovered is that the man does not listen to advise
shame indeed
Bolla Pansi on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 7:00 PM
Let us be practical.Zambia has far less finance to compete at any level.We dont even have a decent stadium.We cant pay our coach.Look at the Faz balance sheet critically.How much is budgeted for players?
Writing letters on this site is a waste of space.We need practical solutions and not finger pointing.We de fans should do sthing NOT say or write letters.By how much will revenue rise if Faz resigns.ACTION bwana!
DaMwiinger on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:01 PM
@Chamz
I am aware that I have no say in how theye are elected. What I am doing is pointing out their failures which in my view are enough for any normal human being to realise that they should leave the running of the game to more capable people.
DaMwiinger on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:14 PM
@Bolla Pansi
Boss, lack of finance and infranstructure is not an excuse for failing to plan or the lack of requisite management skills. If you read my letter objectively, you will note that there is nothing in there that can be attributed to the country’s economic situation. I can go as far as saying the reason we are where we are as a country is because of this acceptance of mediocrity at all levels. Does it make sense to you that we have power rationing in Zambia when we have one of the biggest man-made lakes in the world? I don’t suppose you see anything wrong with that either because we have somehow come to a place were mediocricy is synonymous to being Zambian.
You bring out a good point about looking at the FAZ balance sheet-tell me, have you seen their balance sheet anywhere? Are FAZ making public their financial records for us all to see?
You also say we fans should do something about it, well I have personally done something before. I have made suggestions to FAZ on how they can effectively engage with us fans and how they can paint a good picture of themselves and the game as a whole. I have offered to help FAZ in my area of expertise for free. (Happy to share all this with anyone who is really interested). I think my letter asking them to resign tells you enough of the outcome of these suggestions.
Let’s change our attitude and not accept mediocrity.
Alex on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 8:33 PM
Weelee damwinger. Let them resign before they turn our game into chiyenga or sojo, where losing does not matter. Football is receiving the greatest financial support from stake holders like never before under mmd reign. A good leadership would always notice failure. But these guys are stubborn and katwishi kaya nganiba nkoma matwi.weelee
Man ceasor on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:41 PM
as zambians we owayz mak da mistake durin da elections,we vote 4names.nice letter though hp we wl ve an ans
tino on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 8:45 AM
Ba DaMwiinger mwalasa. We have always had disccussions on such things to do with leadership. Leadership is about delivering to the pipo despite the challenges you face, yes we accept our leadership faces challenges but they should never use that as an excuse. after all thats why we put them there. If we never thought they were exceptional , we would not have put them there. it is not my job to start providing solutions for them.thats why they are my leaders they need to drive the ship but as it they are already taking the ship in the wrong direction. DaMwinger has done the right and if these guys and FAZ think they will reply to him and address the issues he has raised.
Mutale on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 10:24 AM
How can you run your home if you don’t leave there,but just visit when you can?Ba Kalu balibopa kuli ulya Gelo,so how do you expect him to leave in Zambia.Let him resign and let the running of the game to some one who leaves in Zambia,but not Munaile.This guy is surrounded by puppets like Chilemena,Munaile,Pivot Simwanza,Chitembeya and Adre Mutine,guys who are just after money.Ask them which clubs they represent and how those clubs are performing.I rest my case.
Copper Bullet(Chipolopolo) on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 11:16 AM
@kayula
Really great thing Damwiinger.As fans,lets be united & fight for the best.In S/Africaor Nigeria or Egypt or Cameroon or Angola etc, if a coach doesn’t deliver he is fired.Its only in Z where we keep on losing &we cant fire the coach. Let talks fans pliz,or else I may just abandon Chipolopolo & join Arsenal 4 Life which I dont want.Arsenal is in UK nad am A Chipolopolo-a Zambian. LETS TALK GUYS AND CHANGE FAZ’S MENTALITY.
Copper Bullet(Chipolopolo) on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 11:16 AM
@kayula
Really great thing Damwiinger.As fans,lets be united & fight for the best.In S/Africaor Nigeria or Egypt or Cameroon or Angola etc, if a coach doesn’t deliver he is fired.Its only in Z where we keep on losing &we cant fire the coach. LetS talk fans pliz,or else I may just abandon Chipolopolo & join Arsenal 4 Life which I dont want.Arsenal is in UK nad am A Chipolopolo-a Zambian. LETS TALK GUYS AND CHANGE FAZ’S MENTALITY.
Amuna Onzuna on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 1:56 PM
People blaming FAZ and Kalu have probably no idea how difficult it is to run an organisation that is blocke and has no proper source of funds.If you look at the past FAZ excutives,you will see that the major problem they’ve had has been money.There was Everisto Kasunga,then Teddy Mulonga and now Kalusha Bwalya and if you compare these excutives,you will see that Kalu has done better.We have some sponsorship of the league and the National Team,what more can we ask from a bankrupt organisation like FAZ?.Who would put his shoe into such a mess,where bailiffs are always knocking on their doors trying to get what belongs to theirs?.It will not take us anywhere if we continue pulling one another down,I think we should advise Kalu rather than scorn him,coz he is human,he needs to travel to do his business,coz I dont think FAZ can give him a sustainable salary(if at all there is).Only people in Political Office enjoy in Zambia,so,these are the people whom we can put pressure on so that we get things done.Infrastructure is key to any development,now,in a country that fails to host All Africa Games,COSAFA CUPs,or even inter-Provincial sports tournaments,you think you can go the World Cup?.
Fifa on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 2:46 PM
@Amuna Onzuna
There is no one putting the blame on Kalu and his team here ,we are only aggitating the way forward here using the facts on the ground.
keks11 on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 3:36 PM
thats very true, i conquer with you.
Ba Zambia on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 3:49 PM
One more thing Damwiinger . We can not have Erick Working as K foundation Director at FAZ. This is why we have so many K foundation players at u17 level when they are not even good players.
Amuna Onzuna on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 5:26 PM
Fifa,read the article very carefully and you shall observe that its pointing to Kalu’s failures.Yes,we should agitate the way forwad not by frustrating the people in FAZ but encouraging them to do better.As a player,Kalu is the most successful player in Southern Africa,but as a young administrator,he needs wisdom to rule over many challenges and we can always help him to grow.
DaMwiinger on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 6:29 PM
There is a huge difference between seeking wisdom and blutant failure. I am really interested in knowing your definition of failure and what you do about it? At what point do you stop accepting it as a learning curve? We all know that everyone will have teething problems when they get into a new position. But Kalu and his rank are not going through that, otherwise they would have been at least admitting their short comings. Instead, they are not!!
Whisper on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 7:35 PM
@Amuna Onzuna
Amuna, come on man. Do you need money plan? Where is FAZ’s plan? Where is their roadmap for football development? Where is there marketing plan? Where is their sponsorship presentation?
The only reason that FAZ is broke is because they are clueless.
You have accepted mediocrity, I won’t!
Whisper on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 10:20 PM
Meant to say. Do you need money to plan?
muzata kenneth on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 6:37 PM
Yep..who is this damwiinger who sounds so elaborate and organised. Am pleased he is so patriotic to zambian football. Iwish he had the power to bring down a mountain with one fist. i am always ashamed of our game as it stands now. nothing more to say because damwiinger has said it all. The zambian soccer player selection is always onesided when the whole country has massive talents……see now the results of corruption in the game…. in the past we used to perform well because players were picked on merit, now it is by names…you reap what you saw. God does not give positive results from dirty activities that leave genuine talent yowning……Aha let alone the corrupt organ..
Never on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 7:39 AM
Damwinger uli buti uko Glasgow!