Govt wants FAM to handle national coaches’contracts
Government says it wants FAM to be fully responsible for national football teams’ coaches’ contracts.
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire said this in an interview yesterday after meeting the association on Thursday over the recruitment process.
Said the minister: “The plan is that FAM should not only be involved in the recruitment process, but they should also be the ones signing the contract with the coaches because it puts the government in jeorpady when there are contractual issues like when FAM no longer needs the coach “as government still has to pay the coach”.
“So, the plan is that we should be providing resources to FAM through Sports Council, and that the package should be locked, meaning that council cannot use it for other purposes.
“However, we haven’t finalised the issue as the consultation process is still on-going and we’ll be guided by Treasury on the way forward.”
The suggestion comes after government continued to pay former Flames coach Meck Mwase his salary despite being removed from his position as he was still contracted to government.
After his removal, Mwase was redeployed as Under-23 national team coach, an offer he turned down.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed the meeting, saying: “We are comfortable with the arrangement as long as we are guaranteed of funding for the national coaches.
“It’s a straightforward process as it simplifies the line of authority and streamlines
accountability.”
FAM officials met the minister to seek guidance on the recruitment of the next Flames’ coach as the current interim coach Patrick Mabedi’s deal expires after the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifier against Guinea scheduled for September 9 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda was quoted by our sister newspaper, The Nation, confirming that over 50 coaches have applied for the job, but they first want to assess Mabedi.
