Bottoman, Mtanthiko clash on manifesto
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Innocent Bottoman and Daud Mtanthiko—his challenger for the March 14 2015 elections—have clashed on their manifestos with the incumbent leader, saying his rival has nothing new to offer. Mtanthiko insists otherwise.
In an interview with The Nation yesterday, Bottoman was reacting to a manifesto the Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) treasurer Mtanthiko has released promising to establish a website, inclusion of women in Sulom executive committee, introducing Best Dressed Supporter Award, tightening security, enhancing man-of-match awards, an inclusive fixtures sub-committee, insurance of players, reduction of registration fees and introduction of relegation play-offs.
“My manifesto is aimed at ensuring that the Super League becomes competitive, professional, sustainable, effective, skillful, entertaining and secure for all manner of people to enjoy the beautiful game of football in Malawi. My vision is to have a competitive Super League that favourably competes with its peers from other jurisdictions,” stated Mtanthiko.
The former Silver vice-chairperson claims to have entered the race because, in the league, “financial sustainability seems to be a far-fetched dream. Elected office bearers have all gone to sleep”.
But Bottoman challenged Mtanthiko, describing him as a mere noise maker who has nothing new to offer to the league “as all we are already implementing are all he is talking about. Our manifesto also talks highly about commercialisation and outsourcing gate collections. We have delivered and let us develop the game together”.
The incumbent president also outlined his vision, which include building on his current successes by introducing supporters’ registration, hiring fulltime secretariat administrator, professionalising clubs, introducing advance ticket selling, registering Sulom as a legal entity, setting up commercialisation and marketing desk and enhancing players’ contracts, among others.
Bottoman credited his administration for reducing violence, gate collections which have risen from around K90 million in 2011 to K182 million and also setting the pace for commercialisation through the Supporter Mapeto, reducing violence through Shasha campaigns launched alongside TNM and introduction of referees communication gadgets.
Apart from the presidential race, general secretary Williams Banda and treasurer Tiya Somba Banda are also set to defend their seats. Lieutenant colonel Dr. Dan Kuwali is bowing out.
Legal adviser Felix Tambulasi and vice-general secretary Thoko Chazema are yet to decide. Current executive committee members are Aggrey Khonje, Gift Mkandawire, Charles Manyungwa, Gibson Mkanda, lieutenant David Gondwe and Kazizwa Banda.
Candidates must have not been convicted in the last seven years and have also served in football for the past five years.
They should also have knowledge of the Laws of the Game. Each candidate will be nominated, in writing, by the affiliate clubs with each nomination signed by club chairpersons.
