Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) President B Flow has addressed growing criticism surrounding the association’s involvement in organising football matches, making it clear that the initiative is being misunderstood.
Speaking during the Zambia Association of Musicians Annual General Meeting (AGM), the artist dismissed claims that the music body is shifting focus away from its core mandate.
In recent weeks, some artists — particularly non-members — have questioned why ZAM has been actively hosting football games, with critics suggesting that the association is turning into a “football team.”
According to B Flow, such criticism stems from limited understanding. “We have noted with sadness that some artists who are not our members think the industry has been turned into a football team,” he said.
B Flow pointed out that many critics rely solely on social media posts, which may not reflect the full purpose behind the initiative. “When you’re watching happenings through social media, it will look that way,” he explained.
He emphasized that the football matches are not random activities but part of a deliberate strategy.
According to the ZAM President, the matches are designed to promote:
🤝 Networking among artists
🎶 Collaboration opportunities
🎤 Joint performances and shows
💬 Relationship-building within the industry
“These football matches are for social networking. Today many artists have made friends, collaborated and even held shows together,” B Flow said.
“ZAM Is Still a Music Body”
Despite the backlash, B Flow reaffirmed that Zambia Association of Musicians remains focused on its primary mission. “ZAM is a professional music association and not a footballing association,” he stressed. He added that the recent visibility and engagement the association has gained is partly due to these interactive activities.
B Flow also challenged critics to become members of ZAM in order to better understand its operations and benefits. “Those that think this is a bad idea should come and join ZAM… maybe they will appreciate these social networking games,” he said.
His remarks have since sparked debate across the music industry:
Supporters Say:
Football promotes unity and bonding
Networking strengthens the industry
It creates real opportunities beyond music
Critics Argue:
ZAM should focus more on artist welfare
Music development should remain the priority
The association risks losing direction
The Bigger Picture
The conversation highlights a broader issue within the industry — how far organizations should go in exploring alternative engagement strategies while maintaining their core mandate.
While opinions remain divided, one thing is clear: ZAM’s football matches have successfully sparked conversation and brought attention to the association. Whether viewed as a distraction or a smart networking tool, the initiative is already shaping discussions about unity, collaboration, and growth in Zambia’s music industry.