Haiya launches FAM polls manifesto

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) aspiring candidate Fleetwood Haiya has pledged a minimum of K500 million sponsorship for the top-flight Super League.

He made the promise yesterday evening at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe during the unveiling of his manifesto.

Still on the elite club, Haiya promised also that his leadership will push for a 60 percent gate revenue share for Super League  clubs and to increase subvention fee from K7 million this season to a minimum of K20 million next year.

For regional leagues, the Sulom president pledged to establish offices and also buy utility vehicles for the regional associations as well as create a policy to export players.

Before going into details about his manifesto, Haiya started with a call to all stakeholders, starting with the affiliates to embrace the contents of his blueprint, saying it will change the direction of football

“This blueprint will change the course of our football narrative. We will transform from being perennial underachievers to serial winners of medals at international competitions.

Even at the local level our standards will change, and the quality of our players and their value will appreciate,” he said, addressing guests that included Cabinet ministers Moses Kunkuyu and Richard Chimwendo Banda but also Malawi Defence Force commander General Paul Valentino Phiri and representatives from the sports sector.

The candidate also announced that, among other  things, his leadership will  improve the standards of refereeing,  raise refereeing standards in the country, enhance the reputation of Malawi referees worldwide and turn refereeing as a preferable profession including developing and building efficient regional and national refereeing secretariat structures.

He also pledged to enhance capacity of  managers and coaches to make them tenacious tacticians and competitive on the international stage

Guest of honour Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu appealed to delegates who will vote not to be swayed by money but think about growing the sport.

“My message to the delegates  going to vote at the FAM elections is that you should not be swayed by money but the football situation in the country. If you think we are there then vote wisely. It is only 36 delegates but think about the 18 million people of this country.”

He also advised Haiya that if it happens that he get the presidency he should not renegade on his promises.