Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Keith Mweemba has urged football clubs to give players, coaches and football officials adequate time to participate in Thursday’s general elections.
Mweemba said preparations for the new football season and the transitional league should not prevent members of the football fraternity from exercising their right and responsibility to vote.
In a statement issued on August 9, 2026, the FAZ president emphasised that football responsibilities should not come at the expense of civic duties.
“Football is important, but our players and officials are citizens first. Their football responsibilities should not become an obstacle to their civic responsibilities as they have a constitutional fundamental right and duty to participate in the country’s democratic process,” Mweemba said.
The FAZ president has therefore called on clubs to adjust their training schedules and other football-related activities to allow players and officials to prepare for and participate in the elections.
Mweemba said football activities could resume immediately after the voting process, stressing that every eligible citizen should have an opportunity to take part in the democratic process.
“Football can resume immediately after the ballot, but every citizen must have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process,” he said.
The FAZ chief also urged members of the football family to conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully during the elections.
He called on players, coaches, administrators and other football stakeholders to participate in the electoral process in a peaceful and democratic manner before returning their attention to football activities.
The call comes as football clubs prepare for the new season and the transitional league, with FAZ encouraging clubs to balance their sporting commitments with the civic responsibilities of their players and officials.
Mweemba’s message places emphasis on ensuring that football schedules do not create barriers for players and other stakeholders who wish to cast their ballots on election day.
The Football Association of Zambia has also encouraged the football fraternity to maintain peace and respect for the democratic process before returning to their sporting activities after the elections.
