Players association yet to roll out
Football players have to wait a bit longer before they can appreciate the Players Association of Malawi, an independent body formed by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to oversee their welfare.
The association’s chairperson Alfred Lungu has said there is still a lot of work to be done before they can roll out.
The body, formed earlier this year, does not have a source of revenue. It also does not have a constitution and/or terms of reference and only had its first meeting two weeks ago, according to Lungu.
The development has already affected some players that were hoping to get help from the body.
A case in point is ailing former Civo United and Flames player Noel Mkandawire who was diagnosed with tuberculosis and liver problem and is admitted to Mzuzu Central Hospital.
His former team-mate at Escom and national team, Elvis Kafoteka, has since pleaded for help for the player.
“Noel is critically ill. He has nothing on his bed side. The same Noel who scored vital goals for Malawi, Escom United and Civo United has no help,” he said.
But Lungu said the association has no capacity to help the player.
He said: “Players Association of Malawi is a new association. We are putting in structures and developing guidelines. A body cannot operate without guidelines.”
Lungu also quashed reports that his association had snubbed Mkandawire.
He said: “It’s ridiculous for someone to say that because he is not a member of the association, then he cannot get help, when right now guidelines are still developed.”
Meanwhile, another body, Sportsmen Association, has said they are working with Mzuzu-based former players to help Mkandawire.
The association’s chairperson Ojukwu Malunga said: “At first our hands were tied following the formation of FAM’s players association, but after learning that they are yet to roll out, we are continuing with what we were doing all along.
“When we learned about Noel’s condition, we liaised with Mzuzu-based former players such as Edgar Mbalinga, who are monitoring his [Noel] situation at the hospital. But what is needed is financial support since he is the family’s breadwinner.” n
