Mpinganjira falls at MOC polls

Hellen Mpinganjira’s bid to become Malawi Olympic Committee’s (MOC) secretary general for the fourth consecutive time crumbled yesterday after surrendering the seat to former treasurer Jappie Mhango.
Mpinganjira, who was the longest serving member in MOC’s executive body, was the biggest casualty during elections at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi. She got nine votes against Mhango’s 39.
This is her second fall in sports administration after giving up the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary post last year.
Despite the defeat, the veteran sports administrator wore a brave face and embraced her opponent. She described the results as “not a shock.”
“People have voted. I wish all the newly elected members all the best. That is all I can say,” said Mpinganjira.
The race also proved tough for MOC outgoing executive member Dean Pinto.
The Aquatic Union of Malawi (AUM) president withdrew his candidature for the position of vice-secretary general and vied to reclaim his executive member seat but failed.
After Cycling Federation of Malawi (CFM) general secretary Jimmy Kadewere amassed 30 votes against Pinto’s 10 and Malawi Handball Association (Maha) general secretary Dennis Kumwenda’s seven, a second round of voting was conducted between Pinto and Kumwenda to determine who to join Kadewere in the committee, but things did not work out for Pinto. He collected 12 votes against Kumwenda’s 35.
But incumbent MOC president Oscar Kanjala and Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) president Henry Sakala had an easy road to victory that saw them retaining their positions’ of president and treasurer unopposed respectively.
Flora Mwandira became the only female in the committee’s seven-member executive as she reclaimed the vice-presidency. She beat Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) vice-president Ben Mlasaanthu by 43 ballots to five.
The post of deputy secretary general went to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) technical director John Kaputa, who outsmarted Laurie Arthur by 33 votes. He collected 39 votes. Three ballots were declared null and void.
Retired middle-distance runner Ken Dzekedzeke was co-opted as athletes’ representative.