Ministry of Youth and Sports deputy directors Mary Waya and Kinnah Phiri have come under spotlight over their involvement in the Malawi Queens and Flames technical panels, with some critics saying it points to conflict of interest as they are expected to submit the teams’ performance reports to themselves.
But Ministry of Youth and Sports has defended the duo’s involvement with the national teams.
Waya is deputy director responsible for schools’ sport while Phiri also holds a similar post, but is responsible for community sport at the ministry.
The Queens’ legend was recently appointed Malawi National Netball Team co-coach alongside Peace
Chawinga-Kaluwa.
The duo was in charge of the Queens at the just-ended Africa Netball Championship in Namibia where Malawi finished fourth.
On the other hand, Kinnah and Malawi National Council of Sports board member Young Chimodzi are the Flames technical advisers in the interim technical panel which has FCB Nyasa Bullets mentor Kallisto Pasuwa as head coach.
Sports Council recently confirmed that they are waiting for a report from Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on the team’s performance in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which will be submitted to the ministry through the director’s office for action.
The same applies to the Queens’ coaches who have to submit a report after the tournament.
Ironically, Kinnah and Waya, by virtue of being part of the national teams’ technical panels, will also be involved in coming up with the reports.
They will then receive their own reports at the ministry.
But analyst Patrick Zgambo in an interview said the two directors’ involvement compromises their judgement on the teams’ performance.
He said: “It’s a cow dung respons
and they know it! The question is not on whether they are qualified or experienced for this. They are, but the thing is it is administratively ridiculous because they are supervising themselves and overseeing themselves.
“It’s messy. How can one possibly do that without being conflicted on a touchy matter? This is maladministration. These two must serve, but serve in a manner where there are clean checks and balances so that they soberly contribute.”
Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa referred the matter to the ministry.
On his part, Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Macmillan Mwale in an interview said they allowed the two directors to join the national teams technical panels following the challenges the two teams were experiencing.
He said: “The two are indeed senior officials at the ministry . Coincidentally, they are high level experts in football and netball, respectively.
“Having noted and acknowledged that the football and netball teams were experiencing performance challenges and were to participate in high level competitions, FAM and NAM requested the ministry to release the duo to support the national teams as an interim strategy while they are searching
for new technical staff for the teams.
“Considering that these are national teams and they serve the interest of the nation, the ministry had no choice but to release them. The ministry could not stand back and watch.
“The ministry is, therefore urging all stakeholders to support the initiative to protect and sustain the reputation of sports brand.”
On his part, Kinnah said he does not see any conflict.
“Myself and Young are there just to offer technical advice to the technical panel. We even go further by doing the same with the FAM president and the first vice-president, who is
responsible for technical issues,” he said.
“We are there merely to assist with technical advice due to our experience in football. Mind you, the national team is also a baby of the government and, therefore, the ministryhas an interest in its affairs.”
Waya could not be reached for comment.
However, by allowing the two to be part of the technical panels, the Ministry also flouted Civil Service Commission regulations which does not allow a civil servant to be employed by another institution.
