Sort ZAAA, aerobics movement wrangle, Lungu orders minister
Written by Millennium on July 24, 2019
MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
@SunZambian
PRESIDENT Lungu has directed the new Sports minister to address the wrangles between the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) and the Aerobics Mania Fitness Movement, led by Makungu Muyembe.
President Lungu said he was concerned about the differences between the two bodies and urged the new Sports Minister, Emmanuel Mulenga, to step in helping the parties resolve their differences.
“Sort out this noise I’m hearing about the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association and the wellness of individuals in their privacy, I think it was a storm in a teacup, I hope it has been put to rest because people should be free to exercise,’’ President Lungu told Mulenga during his swearing-in ceremony at State House, in Lusaka, on Monday.
President Lungu observed that people ought to be free to exercise without being bothered by anyone because exercise was a private matter.
The feud between the two associations came about after indication by the ZAAA that the fitness movement could only operate with its authorization and regulation.
“If you talk about social football, we play soccer on the streets and no one bothers us so why should we be bothered if we decide to run in the privacy of our homes or on the streets so I hope that has been put to rest and if it hasn’t please put an end to it,” said President Lungu who has lately led a national fitness and wellness campaign by encouraging citizens to undertake regular physical exercise.
“We are not stopping any individuals or companies from running or walking for their fitness. Running Clubs run without being stopped or regulated, while some are now seeking partnership or affiliation to upgrade their status and enjoy some Club privileges from ZAAA,” Muyembe is reported to have observed.
He accused ZAAA of trying to frustrate the movement’s efforts to improve the health of Zambians.
