Macra clears refs’ gadgets

Domestic referees could soon start using the wireless telecommunication gadgets after the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) secured the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) nod to operate the equipment.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda confirmed Macra’s nod amid National Referees Committee (NRC) general secretary Chris Kalichero’s concerns on the delays to, now in the seventh week of the league, release the equipment.

“It will improve on coordination reporting as well as the administration of the game on the part of the referees. We were awaiting Macra clearance, which was granted,” Banda said, adding that the next stage is to train the referees on how to operate the gadgets.

Sponsors TNM bought the equipment before the start of the season in April to improve standards of officiation, which has over the years, sparked violence and hooliganism, hence Kalichero’s concerns.

Kalichero seemed to agree with Banda that training is crucial as “frequencies differ. We have not seen the equipment hence we are not competent to comment on the technical side of it”.

“We will keep on waiting as beggars are not choosers, but if indeed the equipment was meant for referees then they need to start using it,” he said.

TNM public relations and sponsorship manager Limbani Nsapato confirmed on Thursday that they had to seek Macra’s blessing as the gadgets require an allocation of frequencies.

“TNM procured ten sets of referees communication equipment at K14.5 million (about $34 523). TNM’s expectation is that the introduction of the equipment will enhance the level of officiation in the league,” said Nsapato.

Blantyre referee Samuel Mangansanja, speaking in his personal capacity, on Wednesday said the equipment would help to ease fans’ misunderstanding of the Laws of the Game.

As we went to press, Macra publicist Blessings Phumisa had not reverted to The Nation as promised earlier in the day.