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Former Zambia Athletics (ZA) Treasurer, Christopher Manda, has accused board president, Elias Mpondela, of misusing sanction fees from marathon organisers for personal gain.
He claimed that local board members had not benefited from these funds and that Mpondela had been providing excuses for the lack of transparency.
In a letter to the Ministry of Sports, Manda highlighted that the situation had created tension between the Zambia Athletics Executive President and the Provincial Athletics Board Executives.
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“Once he collects that money, that’s it; it becomes family money… He never even discloses how much he receives from the marathon organisers,” Manda stated.
He also accused Mpondela of failing to pay athletes, coaches, and technical officials, despite his claims of prudent fund management.
“No grants have been paid to Provincial Athletics Boards for the past two years, yet ZA raises funds, charges sanction fees, holds intercompany rallies and organises marathons. How are the provinces expected to run the affairs of the sport?” he questioned.
He further alleged that funds from the Kansanshi Marathon, held twice in 2023 and 2024, were not distributed to the Provincial Area Board.
“Mpondela’s aim is one thing: to embarrass the new dawn government,” Manda charged.
Manda called on the government to investigate Mpondela, urging the Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Council to prevent Mpondela from tarnishing the reputation of sports disciplines under the New Dawn Government.
“The new dawn government should watch Mpondela with a keen eye,” he said.
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