Glo/CAF Awards: Kalusha berates African Stars

Bwalya spoke in Sudan at the weekend during the presentation of awards by CAF to 13 African football legends that were voted among the best 50 in the continent in the last 50 years. The event was part of the activities marking the Golden Jubilee of CAF.

He said African players must support the Glo-CAF Awards by attending the ceremonies especially when they are nominated for any of the award categories. Citing the UEFA and FIFA football awards, the former Zambian coach said "the attraction to corporate sponsors lies in the caliber of players and guests that attend the events and we must lend our names and influence to the Glo-CAF Awards so it can attain the same status as that of Europe"

"African players are all over the world contributing to the development of football in other continents and it will be beneficial to Africa if these big stars would also join hands with CAF, their national associations and sponsors like Globacom to promote the game back home", remarked Bwalya.

He said the bane of African football can be traced to the detached attitude of international stars to issues of domestic football in their home countries and on the continent. Citing a recent international football match in South Africa between African and European legends, Bwalya was unhappy that while their counterparts from Europe responded to the invitation by the organizers,
only a few Africans turned up.

"We have to change our attitude towards the continent. Though Africa is beset by many problems, solution must come from us, especially those of us who have achieved fame and wealth from the game. It is our duty to ensure that those coming behind enjoyed greater leverage to grow in the game and compete with their colleagues from Europe and the Latin America", espoused Bwalya, who is also the vice president of the Zambian Football Federation.