Malawi National Council of Sports says it will give second chance to sports associations struggling to meet governance to put their houses in order and access funding.
Sports Council board chairperson Jim Kalua said in an interview yesterday that at least 14 associations that missed out on government subventions last year will be given another opportunity.
The associations include lawn tennis, cycling, table tennis, handball, pool, bawo and wrestling.
Sports Council has been allocated K1 billion in the 2026/27 National Budget to be shared by 47 associations while football and netball got K3 billion and K2 billion, respectively.
But some of the 47 affiliates do not qualify for funding after failing to meet the requirements which include holding annual general meetings, submission of strategic plans that prioritise grassroots development and having a fully-fledged secretariat.
The other key requirements are having a president with at least a bachelor’s degree and a general secretary with a diploma.
“Those that do not meet these requirements are not supposed to get funding, but considering that it is the athletes and the development of the sports codes that are being affected, we will engage them on the way forward,” he said.
“We want to appreciate why they are failing to meet the requirements and where possible, we will assist and guide them accordingly so that they can get back on their feet.”
Kalua said there are some associations affiliated to the council “which are literally briefcase bodies and are there just to advance some individuals’ personal interests. For such associations, we will keep the door shut”.
Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said they planned to hold workshops for the affected bodies starting early April.
“For some of the associations, it is not that they are defiant, but they lack capacity and we want to see how we can help them and then from there, we will come up with a timeframe to monitor their progress,” he said.
Cycling Federation of Malawi president Malumbo Kaira said in an interview that they have no stable financial flow to have an office and pay salaries for staff.
“Besides, we are trying to engage partners to support us with start-up funds to have the office,” he said.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi national technical director Owen Mfune said they were not given a chance to provide input when coming up with the guidelines.
Sports Council launched the guidelines in September 2022 to improve sports management and enhance accountability.
Part of the guidelines read: “The guidelines seek to assist national sport associations and other stakeholders to appreciate and understand standards and conduct that are respected and valued within the sport sector.
“To provide a deterrent against unacceptable behaviours and practices which may be detrimental to sport development and assist sports associations to embrace best practices in sport leadership.”
The guidelines also state that for any sport association to be recognised by the council, they must have a constitution approved by council and with dictates of their respective international federations.
