FAM cautions clubs on open vehicles
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has warned its affiliates against allowing clubs to travel in open vehicles to football matches.
The association’s warning follows the death of 25 players, supporters and officials of Nyungwe United FC who died in a road accident at Tenende in Karonga District on their way from Chitipa where they played Chitipa Hammers in a Moto Northern Region Division One League match .
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said ferrying players, officials and supporters in open vehicles is not only against football regulations, but also against the country’s laws.
He said: “The unfortunate incident that ocurred in Nyungwe which led to loss of lives and caused fatal injuries is a lesson to all of us that measures must be taken to safeguard lives of players, officials and fans on and off the pitch.”
Nyamilandu said the association will enforce the regulation through club licensing.
He said: “Going forward, we need to develop health and safety guidelines for the teams as part of club licensing which will entail insurance for the teams, type of vehicle to be used, sitting capacity and composition of passengers among many others.
Nyamilandu said they will work with Malawi Police Service and Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services to ensure the regulation is adhered to.
“For the safety policy to be effective, we will need to actively collaborate with Malawi Police so that it is enforced as part of the national safety policy which is already in place pertaining to use of open trucks by passengers,” he said.
In an interview, Northern Region Football Association chairperson Lameck Khonje said they will be strict on how teams travel to matches.
According to Karonga Police spokesperson George Mulewa, the driver of the vehicle registration NA 6449, which had 85 people on board, allegedly failed to negotiate a corner, leading the lorry to overturn.
Eighteen people died on the spot and six others died at Karonga District Hospital. The death toll has risen to 25 following the death of another player, Gaula Nyirenda, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the football fraternity, Nyamilandu has sent a condolence message to Nyirenda’s family.
He said: “We are in deep shock over the tragedy that has befallen us. We share the pain and agony that the Nyirenda family and all other families as well as the community of Nyungwe are going through.
“We understand that the healing process will be hard for the affected families that have lost their loved ones and suffered fatal injuries.
“The tragedy has caused untold suffering and inflicted a traumatic experience that will linger in our memories forever.
“May the soul of Nyirenda and all our departed brothers and sisters rest in eternal peace.”
Fifa president Gianni Infantino also sent condolences to Malawi’s football fraternity in a statement released Tuesday.
