Nam elections Shifted to july

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) elections  will delay for at least two months after Malawi National Council of Sports yesterday (MNCS) postponed this Saturday’s vote to pave the way for investigations into complaints of irregularities.

The elections were initially scheduled for this Saturday at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima.

Sports Council acting executive secretary Henry Mereka said in a letter that the council resolved to postpone the elective annual general meeting (AGM) and extend the incumbent commitee’s term of office by two months to resolve the complaint raised by one of the candidates.

In a letter dated May 25 2021 and addressed to NAM general secretary, he said the development follows a “complaint from part of your membership alluding to a number of allegations pertaining to the conduct and of submission of nominees for the impending elections of NAM”.

Reads the letter in part: “The council has committed to resolve the issues raised and ensure the AGM is held within a maximum of two months. In the meantime, the council is reviewing the complaint and shall be engaging NAM to resolve the issues that have been raised in the complaint.”

NAM general secretary Carol Bapu yesterday confirmed receiving the letter, but said it was difficult to comment on the matter.

“We are yet to be served with the complaint,” she said.

The postponement came barely a day after NAM released the official list of nominated candidates ahead of the polls.

Incumbent NAM president Khungekile Matiya, the body’s former treasurer Abigail Shariff and former Malawi Queens captain Emmie Waya-Chongwe were nominated for the post of president while former Kukoma Diamonds netball club general secretary Chimwemwe Bakali and Anastasia Kaphale are set to battle for the post of vice-president.

Waya-Chongwe said “the postponement is a blessing in disguise as it is meant to ensure the elections are free and fair”.

Matiya declined to comment while Shariff could not be reached.

Former Queens shooter Linda Magombo Munthali and former Blantyre and Districts Netball League official Isaac Chimwala eye the general secretary post while  Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma, Diana Nkhulambe and Vitumbiko Mwendemange-Gubuduza have been nominated for the vice-general secretary position.

Tadala Billie and Agnes Chaima will vie for the treasurer post.

Last week, Waya-Chongwe was quoted by The Nation as having said that some aspirants were bribing affiliates  to vote them into office.