This really looks like an issue for football fans. But think about it. Messi holds the European record now. Chitalu holds the world and probably there is some one who gets closer.
The only difference is the fact that the European media would blow anything that links to them and ignore the other records around the world. Now we have the proof and have provided the evidence. The issue now, is... will they be bold and set the record or ignore it as they always do on matters from non-European countries. We, as Zambia, are not claiming recognition on this matter. We have been looking at this issue long before Messi came on the scene. Records have been collected to prove that fact. We have the name in our heads ringing "ucar" as he was popularly know. He is still regarded as the best player to ever grace the CECAFA tournament and still, that number of goals (yes 107 in one calendar year) has been mentioned. I even remembered an article on the issue in 2010 found here. That's a Uganda site which had the record plastered. Now we have the details we always wanted. Lucky enough they came at they came at the time the world wanted to honour someone else.
Just get that record and let the person who did wonders in Africa be honoured for it.
This is one thing that Zambians should always look at. We work hard, we produce results, no matter how big the obstacle we fight, the great works will be rewarded. We have our great not standing among the greats not because his achievements are easily beaten, but because we have no huge global media to scream on our behalf, 88 clearly looks greater than 107!!! The story has always been the same. Remember at the African Cup of Nations when no one (but a Zambian believed in us? We had to organise ourselves as Zambians to get rid of one member of Super Sport panel who clearly disrespected and insulted us. Only after the win did they see what we wanted to do and delivered that trophy to Lusaka
Now FIFA says it wont back anyone because they don't keep records! Ok we have our records and so does every country that has a claim to how many goals were scored, so lets start the counting my verifying these and see how it goes, maybe when one playing in Europe comes past 107 we will have FIFA backing of the records?
At Kwacha Economics, we feel proud to be Zambia and always will say what "ucar" did should make us know we can achieve the greatness if we put our mind to it. I hope one day, we will have a Kwacha economics story like Godfrey Chitalu's record on an economic achievement from Zambia. This is a local great and should be filed among the local greats.
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Our records have been buried in the achieves for a long time. But every Zambian knew of this record. People are asking why it has taken time and we have only come up with the records now after Messi "broke" the record. Seriously who knew of such a record in Zambia? We were just shocked to hear that Messi is about to break a record of most goals scored in a calendar year! The debate of getting Chitalu's goals recorded and presented to the world has been on going in Zambia since the 90s. The world has ignored this. But we have been talking about this for years. It is even on this blog in 2010! So we have not only made that claim, we have proved it.
So sad that a simple issue of verifying the numbers and setting the record straight has become a popularity contest. All because this is Africa and our records matter little in the world! I don't think so. FIFA should have come up and set the record straight. The western media is actually taking it the wrong way. Imagine if this record was held by a player in southern England! FIFA would have confirmed, named and medals presented. But because the story is coming from Zambia, Africa in a town called Kabwe and on official games, the results are not so official. So to avoid confirming that, it now a no-backing for either.
I think the world need to come to terms with facts and stop discriminating on the basis of location.
Godfrey "Ucar" Chitalu has a record that the world should see and keep. Until someone breaks it, we have to live with it. The idea of football those days was not as competitive as it is today is as silly an idea as to claim everyone those days would have invented a light bulb!
Honour those who need to be - and do it fairly.
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