‘Sports bodies need overhaul’
Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Henry Mussa has said some officials who are running sports bodies have overstayed and need to be replaced with vibrant, fresh and creative minds to breath in a new lease of life.
The minister did not cite any names, but some presidents that have served more than two terms include Walter Nyamilandu (football), Rosy Chinunda (netball), Jappie Mhango (volleyball), Kezzie Msukwa (chess), Tochi Gill (hockey) and Isaac Mkwezalamba (cycling).
Speaking in an interview with The Nation on Saturday, the minister said one of the reasons the country is struggling in various sports disciplines is because some officials have outlived their usefulness.
during the launch of Fisd Cup in Nchalo
“Some, if not most of the officials running these sports bodies, have overstayed and run out of ideas. They have become rusty that they cannot offer anything new and, therefore, not in tandem with the dynamics.
“There is need for some sort of overhaul so that we bring in fresh innovative leadership that can change the way we do things. It cannot be business as usual,” he said.
However, Mussa who is two weeks old in his new portfolio, said not all officials have run out of steam.
“There are quite a few who have been there but are still vibrant and are able to adapt.
“I will be having consultative meetings with the associations and other bodies such as Malawi National Council of Sports [MNCS] and Malawi Olympic Committee [MOC] on that.”
Reacting to the minister’s comments, Nyamilandu yesterday said his interpretation is that “he is suggesting the need for all players to be open-minded and embrace change.
“We are stuck in a corner and cannot grow due to resistance to change. We need to do things differently and unlock doors that are closed.”
He admitted that there is a backward mentality which is hindering progress in football and sports in general.
“We have to fight these battles together and not as individuals. I see the minister’s sentiments as a challenge to all of us to work for a common purpose so that we can bring out meaningful and progressive change.”
On her part, Chinunda said: “What the minister is saying is true because sometimes we tend to lose track, but as for our association we have elections next year and I am sure that would provide delegates a chance to go for fresh blood.” n
Some officials had been with associatios even during the one party system an over haul is really seriously needed