A fitness entrepreneur has accused the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association of frustrating efforts to improve the health of Zambians.
ZAAA President Elias Mpondela last week warned individuals and institutions organizing running activities to get approval from the Association.
But Makungo Muyembe observed that whilst the President Edgar Lungu is encouraging every Zambian to exercise to fight lifestyle diseases, an athletics Association is busy discouraging people promoting health and fitness.
“The President organises regular runs with members of the public to promote fitness. H.E wants Zambia to be fit and a running nation. Why should one get get authority from a sports association to walk or run for health… Like really!
“Why would one threaten to cancel a free community fitness event, this association has canceled several events for people just like that. I don’t really get the logic.”
“I thought an association should regulate its members or affiliates not members of the public. This association should concentrate on improving athletics in the country not focussing on social runners who are not athletes.”
Mr Muyembe who is behind the Aerobics Mania fitness movement said he does not this government would support such a move.
“I Need to be convinced that Government supports regulation of health and community fitness activities. Diseases prevention helps Govt to save money in the health sector.”
He added, “More fitness events are the better. One or two annual events cant change people’s lifestyle. I am aware of so many running groups who have been discouraged to organise community running events because of the interference of this association.”
He said he will be seeking an appointment with the Minister’s of Health and Sports and Sports to get a clarification.
“I was to told to concentrate on Aerobics and leave walking and running for the association. You cant own exercise, you cant own walking or running. It’s free!”
“Zambia shall be fit. Let people have a freedom to come together to run and walk.”
Mpondela and Kalusha same whatsup group. Clinging to ZAAA and FAZ respectively like a tick on an animal. You mean there are no other hobbies these two can explore?
Its easy money for them a gravy train…he like Great Galu loves the pomp…free VIP Olympic tickets free grants from International Olympic Committee (IOC), he goes there with his girlfriends and sells the other tickets for athletes to friends.
Can Mpondela please pave way for fresh brains?
You hear of ZAAA what comes to mind is Mpondela, how nauseating.
It like in the political arena, when you hear about opposition, one name has dominated the situation for decades.
Don’t you get tired?. Anything else you can do better?
Sick and tired or same names mwee!
You can not progress until that fossil Elias Mpondela gets his cut…he has been there since I was at secondary he has no life away from ZAAA no wonder he keeps coming back like that other chap residing in RSA who was at FAZ.
That is just bull crap coming from Mpondela. We need a fit nation and anyone contributing to it, is doing the right thing. Just ignore the pundit and keep doing the right thing. The Zambia schools do not get permission from him neither do the colleges or universities or most organisation doing community based running. Everyone runs including all sportsmen to keep fit. He outlived his usefulness a long time ago. Keep it up brother.
USD 14.400 grant every year for 12 years now go to his account .
This year’s USD 60,000 sent this year for the AADC center at OYDC has been used on his trips abroad including China
30 March 2019 he failed to present the financial reports for 2016,2016,and 2018.
Which means he has to present 4 financial reports next year.
Where is the national sports council of Zambia
No audited reports for ICR since it started
Nio contract for office Rentals for the passed 13 years
Coach Kalembo wife’s is the financial controller for ZAAA and is the niece to Mpondela .
Chizu employed at ZAAA is the nephew to Mpondela and he has been using hum to steal the money during inter company Relay.
He sold the the first photo finish equipment with the knowledge of the Association,which was…
USD 14.400 grant every year for 12 years now go to his account .
This year’s USD 60,000 sent this year for the AADC center at OYDC has been used on his trips abroad including China
30 March 2019 he failed to present the financial reports for 2016,2016,and 2018.
Which means he has to present 4 financial reports next year.
Where is the national sports council of Zambia
No audited reports for ICR since it started
Nio contract for office Rentals for the passed 13 years
Coach Kalembo wife’s is the financial controller for ZAAA and is the niece to Mpondela .
Chizu employed at ZAAA is the nephew to Mpondela and he has been using hum to steal the money during inter company Relay.
He sold the the first photo finish equipment without the knowledge of the Association
Let’s be honest, Elias Mpondela is a nuisance. I am tired of hearing his name, hearing him talk unmitigated nonsense everytime he opens his mouth. He is the embodiment of a lazy, entitled and incompetent Zambian. Media would do well to black him out.
My advise to Mpondela, “leave the stage when the ovation is loudest”.
Mpondela has overstayed at ZAAA,He has now become a dinosaur,Ba Elias please leave the stage whilst people are still clapping,infact people stopped clapping for you a long time ago.