Bwalya elected new Zambia athletics president in tightly contested poll

Major Bernard Bwalya has been elected President of Zambia Athletics (ZA), ending Elias Mpondela’s 28-year tenure at the helm of the association.

The election, held during an elective general meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, was fiercely contested.

Initially a three-man race, the poll narrowed after Kennedy Mubanga — a former ZA General Secretary — withdrew at the last minute and endorsed Bwalya.

“With a united team to liberate athletics in Zambia, we’ve held numerous meetings to consolidate the opposition vote. It is better to lose a position than to lose power,” Mubanga said during the meeting.

Bwalya and Davison Mung’ambata both received 46 votes, resulting in a tie. The presiding officer was then required to cast a lot to break the deadlock — ultimately tipping the outcome in Bwalya’s favor.

More details to follow.

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