Former Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary (GS) Carol Bapu has given up on her intention to vie for the association’s presidency.
She was one of the two aspirants for the NAM hot seat until the association’s electoral body barred her candidature earlier this week on the basis that she had already served the maximum two terms as GS.
After electoral committee’s decision, Bapu said she would consult on the matter and map the way forward as her understanding was that the maximum term referred to a particular position.
But in an interview yesterday, the ex-NAM GS said she will not pursue the matter further.
She said: “Before expressing my interest in the NAM presidency, I consulted several legal experts to interpret the NAM Constitution. Their advice confirmed that I was eligible to contest for any position except general secretary, a role I had served for two consecutive terms. With this assurance, I sought and received nominations from affiliates.
”I wish to formally inform the netball fraternity and the general public that I have withdrawn my candidacy for the position of president of the Netball Association of Malawi.
“Although I respectfully disagree with the decision by the NAM Independent and Impartial Elections Committee to bar me from contesting in this month’s elective general assembly, I have chosen to step aside for the love of the game and to prevent unnecessary tension.”
Bapu, who had 16 nominations against the incumbent’s nine, thanked NAM affiliates for their support.
She said: “This endorsement is a clear sign of the confidence the netball community has in my vision and leadership.
“With my years of experience in netball administration, I remain committed to the growth of the sport and to restoring the glory of the Malawi Queens as a dominant force in Africa and beyond.
“This is not the end. I will return to serve Malawi Netball again because for me, it has never been about serving personal interests, but about serving the nation.”
The development means the incumbent president Vitumbiko Gubuduza will be ushered in unopoosed.
The NAM elective annual general meeting is scheduled for August 23 in Lilongwe.
