TRANSPARENCY and accountability are distinctive features of good corporate governance in any organisation.
Without these two features in an organisation, it is difficult to attract sponsorship and other forms of support from the corporate world and indeed some business houses.
It is imperative therefore for all national sports associations to operate in more transparent manner and be accountable to their sponsors and other stakeholders.
The call by Sports Minister Vincent Mwale on the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to be transparent and accountable when administering football is timely.
Mwale reminded FAZ to be accountable to its sponsors, affiliates and other stakeholders in the country.
By so doing, FAZ will be instilling confidence in the sponsors, who are difficult to come by, and the general populace.
However, this does not only apply to FAZ but all sports bodies in Zambia.
When he officiated at the MTN-FAZ Annual Awards Gala on Friday evening in Kitwe, Mwale also reminded administrators and athletes being major players in uplifting of the standards of football, they need to be self-disciplined in their life styles.
The minister’s call on FAZ not to take sponsorships like that from mobile phone service providers, MTN Zambia for granted is another timely reminder.
Like Mwale said, FAZ and of course other sports associations should therefore prove themselves to the sponsors that they are capable of producing desired results in a transparent way.
Once the sponsors are satisfied, more support will be flowing into Zambian sports.
Time and again we have heard of some sports associations crying for support but if these organisations put their houses in order, sponsors will be attracted to come on board.
MTN Zambia deserves some kudos for the support the firm has continued rendering to local football development.
Because of such support from MTN and SuperSport among others, we have seen our league becoming more competitive and it was not surprising that many local players made the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
I hope more corporate institutions will emulate MTN and begin supporting football and of course other sporting disciplines. For comments e-mail: malungaf@gmail.com