NAM affiliates smell raw deal
With a year to the expiry of its tenure, Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) executive has come under fire for allegedly failing to fulfil promises made prior to its election.
The sentiments are contained in a letter addressed to NAM dated April 20, signed by, among others, Northern Region Netball Committee general secretary Ken Phiri alongside Mantle Maulidi of Chiradzulu, Stevie Nyadira of Mulanje and Isaac Kakusa of Nkhotakota.
The affiliates claim that, among others, the current leadership is failing to call for annual general meetings (AGMs), secure additional sponsorship, initiate grass root development programmes and that it lacks transparency and accountability.
They have since demanded an extraordinary general meeting within the next two weeks, “failing which, we are going to take further steps”.
Reads the letter in part: “We express our profound dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs under your leadership.
“The promises you made were mere words. Regrettably, these promises remain unfulfilled, raising questions over the integrity of the association.”
The affiliates say AGMs are supposed to provide a platform for transparency and accountability, but the current leadership has only called for one general assembly since being ushered into office in 2021.
“The absence of AGMs stifles dialogue, affects progress and erodes trust. We urge you to honour your commitments by promptly convening an AGM to allow members voice their concerns, propose solutions and actively participate in shaping NAM’s future,” the letter further reads.
The affiliates also said the NAM executive committee members promised to secure additional sponsors which remains unfulfilled.
“Our players, coaches and fans eagerly awaited the influx of financial support to elevate the game.
“It is disheartening to see how our teams are struggling due to inadequate funding. We urge you to intensify the effort in seeking sponsorship,” further reads the letter.
The affiliates also said transparency and accountability were the cornerstones of the current leadership’s campaign, but not much has been done.
It adds: “The capacity surrounding financial reports raises concerns. Failure to present financial statements undermines our confidence in NAM’s financial management. We demand openness and adherence to best practices.”
The letter also says the NAM executive has not done much on grassroots development.
“Instead, we have witnessed a widening gap between the elite and grass root netball. There is no investment in youth development and no vibrant grass root network,” reads the letter to Malawi National Council of Sports and other affiliates.
Phiri confirmed issuing the letter in an interview yesterday.
He said: “We are just raising our concerns based on what is happening on the ground.
“It is not something personal. We just want the NAM officials to wake up from their deep slumber and start fulfilling what they promised.
“For instance, when they came to campaign here in the North, they promised to secure sponsorship for the league, but they are now in their third year and there’s nothing. That is why we are calling for an AGM so that we can raise all these issues.”
But in an interview yesterday, NAM general secretary Isaac Chimwala said he could not comment as they have not yet received the letter.
“I have not received this letter. They haven’t sent to my office,” he said. The current NAM executive committee, which is led by Abigail Shariff, was voted into office in August 2021.
