Haiya elected FAM president

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Fleetwood Haiya on Saturday became Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president during the association’s elective annual general meeting at Mzuzu Sunbird.

Haiya ended incumbent Walter Nyamilandu’s 19-year reign and will lead the domestic football governing body for the next four years.

The position of FAM first vice-president went to Christopher Mada Kuyera who got 19 votes against James Mwenda’s 17 after two re-runs that broke the tie.

Lameck Khonje is the new FAM second vice-president. He got 21 votes against Orthaniel Hara’s 15.

The new FAM executive committee members voted into power are Daud Mthathiko, Chimango Munthali, Bernard Harawa and Patrick Kapanga. Others who contested but did not make it are Raphael Humba, Chancy Gondwe and Muhammad Seleman.

On the position of FAM women’s representative Felister  Dossi amassed 28 votes against Mervis Mangulenje’s 15.

Announcing the new FAM executive committee, FAM electoral committee chairperson James Masumbu said the results reflect the will of the people.

He advised the office-bearers to look into the electoral statutes to avoid ties that delay the voting process. Masumbu further said the entire exercise was easy to manage due to   good conduct of the candidates.

In his acceptance speech, Haiya said he is humbled to be given the mantle to run the affairs of football in the country and promised not to disappoint.

He said: “I am honoured to be elected as FAM president. I thank affiliates for the trust bestowed on me. I promise to do as spelt out in my manifesto. As indicated, we will deliver to the best interest of the general public by being transparent and accountable.”

Nyamilandu accepted defeat and wished Haiya the best, saying he has left the office in good state.

He said: “One wins the other loses. It happens. I am moving out of office a happy person. When I came to FAM, there was nothing but as I am moving out of the office there is a lot that people can point at. I invested my resources and my life towards football development in the country. I am hopeful that my successor will carry on the good job I have left. I wish him all the best,” he said.

Reacting to the election, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire said he was happy for Haiya.

“We put Malawi first and I believe this is the will of the people of Malawi. I am confident that Malawi football will excel with Haiya taking over from the foundations that Walter has laid,”, he said.