…Sources Allege “Leadership Of Control” Three Months After Suspension Letter As FPAZ And ZBBFF Trade Fire
By TROY MUKUPA
LUSAKA – A dispute has erupted in Zambia’s bodybuilding and fitness industry after leaked correspondence revealed that the Zambia Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, ZBBFF, suspended Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia, FPAZ, three months ago.
The letter dated May 28, 2026, signed by Acting General Secretary Matomola Linyama, allegedly issued under the directive of ZBBFF President Andros ‘Bigserg’ Kumwenda and seen by this publication, directed FPAZ to “immediately cease all bodybuilding and fitness activities under your club in Zambia, including any scheduled events.”
The suspension was effected three months ago but only came to light this week after multiple sources close to the development spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of victimization.
Sources alleged that ZBBFF’s approach amounts to shutting down growth and athlete opportunity.
“Since 2023, Fitness Physiques Africa has worked very well with previous ZBBFF presidents and the executive. We are wondering why, under the leadership of current President Kumwenda, FPAZ is now being accused of not following protocol,” one source said.
Sources further alleged that President Kumwenda’s close relationship with a Zimbabwean bodybuilding federation was influencing ZBBFF’s decisions against FPAZ.
“There is a perception that the friendship with Zimbabwe is being prioritized over local initiatives that are actually investing in Zambian athletes,” another source alleged.
The same source cited an alleged incident in 2024 where ZBBFF attempted to prevent athletes from traveling to Zimbabwe to compete in Fitness Physiques Africa tournaments.
“For example, in 2024 they tried to stop athletes from traveling to Zimbabwe to compete in Fitness Physiques Africa tournaments. Their attempt failed because by the time the Zimbabwean mother body called the ZBBFF President, the FPAZ President and athletes had already crossed the border on their way to Zimbabwe,” the source said.
“ZBBFF is the national governing body and its duty is to grow the sport and support those who are willing to invest. But look at what they are doing now. This is a sign of poor leadership,” the source added.
“The kind of leadership ZBBFF is bringing is about fighting good initiatives instead of building them,” the source alleged.
The source also referenced the first-ever provincial tournament in Livingstone organized by FPAZ proprietor Cathy Martin.
“Despite FPAZ footing the bill, booking the venue and buying trophies and medals, ZBBFF moved to ban the event. It was only after the National Sports Council of Zambia, NSCZ, intervened that FPAZ was given the go-ahead to proceed,” the source alleged.
Another source alleged that athletes are being intimidated.
“They are telling athletes, ‘if you compete in FPAZ events, we will suspend you.’ This is leadership that threatens athletes instead of protecting them,” the source said.
A third source alleged the suspension had been kept secret from stakeholders.
“This has been happening behind closed doors for three months. Athletes were not informed. Sponsors were not informed. The leadership is operating as if this is a private business, not a national federation,” the source alleged.
A fourth source claimed FPAZ is among only 3 of roughly 15 ZBBFF affiliates that pay annual affiliation fees on time.
“Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia is one of the few affiliates that pays its affiliation on time every year. ZBBFF does not have the capacity to run shows without sponsors, but it is busy trying to stop FPAZ. This is embarrassing to our country,” the source said.
In the May 28, 2026 letter, ZBBFF stated it had reviewed FPAZ’s response dated May 21, 2026, and found it unsatisfactory.
“Consequently, the federation has resolved to suspend Fitness Physiques Africa – Zambia until further notice, pending full compliance with the federation’s directives and guidelines,” the letter read.
In the May 21, 2026 response, FPAZ President Paul Tembo maintained that the organization had complied with ZBBFF requirements.
FPAZ stated that it submitted its 2026 competition calendar to President Kumwenda via WhatsApp on January 19, 2026, and that ZBBFF published the dates on its official Facebook page in March 2026.
On provincial structures, FPAZ said it does not operate provincial or district executives but only agents.
On judges, FPAZ stated it has its own IFBB-qualified judges, adding that ZBBFF does not.
FPAZ further said it would seek guidance from ZBBFF on any new requirements. FPAZ also committed to submitting its constitution by June 30, 2026.
The sources have appealed to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the National Sports Council of Zambia to intervene in the matter.
“We need the authorities to look into this. The mission and vision are to grow the bodybuilding and fitness industry. You cannot grow an industry by suspending the people who are actually growing it,” a source said.
In response to the suspension of Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia, ZBBFF Acting General Secretary Matomola Linyama has accused the National Sports Council of Zambia of playing double standards in its handling of federations and contributing to the decline of bodybuilding and fitness in the country.
“NSCZ is contributing to the decline of bodybuilding and fitness in Zambia by: first, registering the World Fitness Federation Zambia, WFFZ, which is conducting the same sport as ZBBFF; and second, interfering in matters between national federations and their affiliates by issuing directives without understanding the issues at play,” Linyama said in a statement to this publication.
“When you examine this issue closely, you will see that NSCZ is playing double standards. However, we respect their authority since they are above us, but our appeal is that they change their approach toward national federations, particularly ZBBFF,” he said.
Linyama further accused Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia of conducting illegal activities, adding that FPAZ is conducting its activities with the blessings of NSCZ and not those of ZBBFF.
“Even as FPAZ is conducting its activities, it is doing so with the blessings of NSCZ and not those of ZBBFF because we do not want to be part of illegalities. Posterity shall judge us harshly if we are to be part of it. We shall not interfere in their activities and we are not going to be responsible for anything should something go wrong,” Linyama said.
In response, Fitness Physiques Africa Proprietor Cathy Martin questioned how activities of Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia, FPAZ, were being labelled as illegal when she has been a major sponsor of ZBBFF-sanctioned competitions for the past three years, including the Zed Nationals, affectionately known as Mr. Zambia.
In a detailed statement to this publication from her UK base, Martin said the situation was like “having a tenant who is doing well, then the landlord is not happy that their tenant is doing better than them.”
Martin accused ZBBFF President Andros ‘Bigserg’ Kumwenda and Acting General Secretary Matomola Linyama of bullying, victimization, abuse of power and discrimination.
“ZBBFF has been in Zambia for so many years but has failed to host any provincial shows. I had a conversation with Kumwenda in January regarding hosting provincial shows and he was in agreement with me. He even mentioned in his voice note that wherever Fitness Physiques Africa Zambia is, ZBBFF is there because we are an affiliate,” Martin said.
She said FPAZ had shared intended show dates with ZBBFF and that they were placed on the national calendar and advertised on ZBBFF’s Facebook page.
“Then two weeks before the Southern Province Classic, we received a letter claiming that we are not following protocols of ZBBFF. We responded accordingly and still it was not good enough. Then 24 hours before the Southern Province Classic we received a letter banning us from hosting all shows with immediate effect even though he knew that I had already paid for everything in advance,” she said.
Martin said she then engaged NSCZ and provided screenshots of her WhatsApp conversation with Kumwenda as proof that the provincial shows were approved. She further claimed that ZBBFF’s letter did not align with its constitution and that the demand for FPAZ to submit a constitution was selective because other gyms and clubs had not been asked to do so.
“I feel that I am being targeted because I am a woman, I am not a Zambian, and when I host shows, I do not depend on sponsors like them and my shows are always a success. If you cross-check what they outlined in their letter, you will find nothing in the ZBBFF constitution to support it,” Martin said.
On allegations that FPAZ tried to register as a national federation, Martin denied the claim. She said it was Moses Mwakoi, a former FPAZ coordinator who later joined ZBBFF, who suggested exploring registration and linked her to an NSCZ official who advised that it was not possible.
“Sports Council advised us to go ahead with the provincial shows because I submitted evidence that Kumwenda had approved them. Venues, medals and trophies were paid for in advance. FPAZ has never done anything wrong from the beginning, but the only issue is that Kumwenda is a bully and he wants to run fitness and bodybuilding sports as if it’s a military,” Martin said.
Both letters were seen by this publication.
