If the information gathered on the process of selecting the FAZ general secretary is anything to go by, then the process is flawed and subject to serious checks. Endorsing a seemingly questionable process such as this one may be a recipe for anarchy. It has so far fallen short of standard operating procedure.
The false reasons advanced to strike African football consultant Ponga Liwewe off the 10-man shortlist for the position of FAZ general secretary confirms suggestions there is everything questionable about this process. That Ponga was allegedly fired by SuperSport is not only false, but a naked lie that no competent committee can use as a basis to disqualify a suitable candidate.
Assuming Ponga was fired, or his contract was not renewed, should that be the reason why his name is struck off the shortlist when he meets, by far, all the terms advertised for the said position? Was the same measure used on Ponga applied on the other candidates?
The three member FAZ select committee comprising chairman by Dr Joseph Mulenga, treasurer Rix Mweemba and Kabaso Kapambwe will have a lot of explaining to do when ratifying the appointment of the general secretary at the council. Mind you, the process does not end at the president nominating and recommending to the executive committee for approval. The FAZ council will still have to ratify the appointment of the yet to be named general secretary. They also have the option to reject such a candidate. Yet the buck of this exercise stops at FAZ president Andrew Kamanga.
Before delving into this issue, we attempted to get an official position from Dr Mulenga and Kamanga. Both officials declined to comment opting to leave Acting General Secretary Katongo Kabungo handle the matter. He was unavailable.
The latest development on the selection process of the general secretary has made it clear Football House is yet to take a steady trajectory more than a month after a change of stewardship at the helm of the game.
Understandably, Kamanga took over a house with divided loyalties as most, if not all, of his executive committee members still owe their loyalty to the old order.
Lest we forget, Kamanga’s first week at Football House was acrimonious. His deputy had attempted a tactical coup, and this should have hinted what challenges lay ahead in trying to steer the game to higher heights. At least it showed there was need for him to stamp his authority if he were to commandingly put his dream of transforming the game into reality.
Everybody who heard or walked him throughout the campaign period would know that he represents a more sober and transformative personality that suits the modern times away from the street type management the country was subjected to the last eight years. But there is a feeling the hardnosed business magnate is moving too slowly. His approach is beginning to give credence to his detractors that are branding him a “weak” FAZ president. If Kamanga does not rise and assert himself by using powers vested in him by the FAZ constitution, he may have a lot of challenges running the organisation. His ‘gentlemanly’ gesture on the selection of the general secretary is clearly giving his adversaries ammunition to bury him before he can stand tall in his office.
Noble as the advertisement for the position of general secretary may seem, it is hardly the right way to pick an implementer of a long term vision especially when the constitution provides otherwise. There could be a danger of ending up with a well-qualified general secretary who may not have the knowhow on the ins and outs of the game. Mind you, a failed general secretary will represent a failed presidency for Kamanga. Let people not forget that part of the driver for change at Football House was to push for de-linking the league from direct control of FAZ. This may sound overly romantic but its implementation unfortunately may require more than just a Cinderella general secretary general. It requires understanding with vast football knowledge.
So while it has become apparent that some elements in the game are wedded to the old order, there is desperate need to charter in a new course in the game. To do that may require more than putting a Mickey Mouse general secretary who is the heart and soul of driving the game from a managerial perspective. So to do that Kamanga may need to stamp his authority and have the man who shares his vision and eminently qualified in that position.
It is all too good to seem to be pandering to everyone’s romantic dream about transparency but there can never be compromising on the choice of general secretary. If there is a person, for instance, who knows the real reason behind the relationship between Ponga and SuperSport, Kamanga should be among the top three. The falsehoods used to strike Ponga off the shortlist can’t be entertained. If entertained at this stage, it raises doubts as to the validity of the ultimate choice.
It’s actually not surprising that there are suggestions Dr Mulenga is consulting some outside persons on the names for general secretary. This is the same Dr Mulenga who told Zambians he will resign if his preferred presidential candidate did not win. It’s baffling he has not stuck to his words. Anyway that’s a story for another day. In any case, why should the same committee that made the shortlist conduct the interviews? Why can’t FAZ hire independent human resource experts to handle the process?
A scan of some of the names that have made the shortlist is a mockery to football although we will avoid delving into specifics. Surely if some deserving personalities can be struck off based on hearsay and on account of lies peddled in the dark days of the game then we have reason to worry about the direction the process is taking.
For now, we think Kamanga has to step up and at least remind all of us that he took over the reins of power on March 19, 2016 at Moba Hotel, not to appease individuals but manage football in a way that demonstrates respect of the FAZ constitution. Some people or rather executive committee members may still be getting used to the idea that Kamanga is the FAZ president, but for now we hope he hits the right buttons. After all he is the one the councillors trusted with their vote. If Kamanga is finding it difficult to put his foot down, he has the option of going back to the councilors and ask them to dissolve his executive so that they re-think their decision. In the meantime, good luck to those that have applied for the position of FAZ general secretary.
Source: bolazambia
The post Opinion: FAZ GS Selection Process Under Question appeared first on Zambia Reports.