No elections at Wanderers

So this is it. Mighty Wanderers supporters have agreed not to have elections for both the executive and main supporters committee ahead of the new season.

The decision was made during a meeting held at their clubhouse at Chichiri in Blantyre on Wednesday which was attended by over 300 supporters from the zonal committees.

The Nomads main supporters committee flamboyant chairperson Yona Malunga justified the move, saying it is aimed at ensuring continuity.

“While it is important to respect and adhere to the constitution of the club, the majority of the supporters felt that it is not necessary to have elections this year as it would affect the move to implement the strategic plan and commercialisation drive.

“The supporters, therefore, felt ushering in a new executive committee would affect continuity,” said Malunga.

He also said the meeting proposed the need to beef up the executive committee, technical panel and playing squad in consultation with the supporters.

“There are some positions such as first and second vice-chairpersons that are currently vacant [following the resignation of Gift Mkandawire and Francis Shawa respectively] and, therefore, the supporters mandated us [main supporters committee] to consult with the executive to fill those positions.

“The supporters further suggested the need to beef up the playing squad with quality players having lost a number of key players such as Joseph Kamwendo, Moses Chavula and Gerald Chimbaka. We are also on the verge of losing others such as captain Foster Namwela and Gerald Phiri Junior to foreign teams,” said Malunga.

He also said the supporters felt there is need to strengthen the main supporters committee.

The club’s Bangwe Zone committee chairperson Paul Banda confirmed the decision in a separate interview.

“It is true that for the sake of progression, it was unanimously agreed that we should not have elections for both the executive and main supporters committee and, if anything, both the executive and main supporters committees should just be beefed up,” said Banda.

However, the Nomads chairperson George Chamangwana said the supporters’ proposal will be discussed by the executive committee.

“I have been briefed by the main supporters’ committee on the decision, but at this stage, I would say it is a proposal.

“So, the executive committee will have to sit down with the main supporters body to see how best we can proceed,” said Chamangwana.

Asked if he is prepared to remain at the helm of the club, Chamangwana said: “I will come up with a decision by Tuesday after consultations with the relevant stakeholders, but personally, I totally agree with the proposal because it will ensure continuity.”

On his part, the club’s general secretary David Kanyenda, who doubles as legal adviser, brushed off suggestions that the current executive would be in breach of the constitution by accepting the supporters’ proposal.

During the meeting, the supporters were also briefed on the move to roll out the strategic plan that includes intensifying membership drive, setting up a secretariat and a bar.