No time to waste
Newly-elected Super Legue of Malawi (Sulom) president Fleetwood Haiya has told his executive committee to get down to work immediately.
He said this after being ushered in as president of the flagship league at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, in Mangochi yesterday after beating Tiya Somba-Banda by 30 votes against 18.
Said Haiya in his acceptance speech: “The elections are gone, let’s get down to work.
“We have work to do. I am the one on the wheel and I will not blame anyone if things don’t go well. I will take responsibility.”
Appearing calm, the Nyasa Big Bullets vice-president also had a word of caution for his team.
He said: “Let’s serve the interests of the clubs and get down to work because in the end we will be judged by how we will perform.
“If I find that someone is sabotaging our drive to develop the league, I will come back to you teams and report. It’s either we take him out or I quit.”
Haiya further committed to serve all the 16 top-flight league clubs without fear or favour.
He also thanked the clubs for entrusting him with the task.
Haiya also thanked Somba-Banda, saying: “In a special way, let me thank my predecessor for the love of the sport. He has laid a foundation upon which we’ll continue to improve on. I will be consulting him for advice.”
On his part, Somba Banda accepted defeat, saying; “The clubs have spoken; they want Fleetwood Haiya to lead their aspirations. Congratulations to him and thanks to the 18 voters that believed in my ideals.”
Football Association of Malawi vice-president Jabbar Alide pledged to work with the new committee.
He said: “The elections have gone on well. Let me congratulate the new president and his team, celebrate with humility, to the losers, there’s always next time.”
Colonel Gilbert Mitawa retained his seat as vice-president after beating David Kanyenda by 29 votes against 19. Williams Banda also defended his general secretary position after amassing 34 votes against Thoko Chimbali’s 21.
The position of vice-general secretary went to Donnex Chilongo who got 27 votes against Dennis Flao Mwale’s 21.
Allie Mwachande and Solomon Gomezgani Mchawi were elected treasurer and legal adviser unopposed respectively.
Chimwemwe Nyirenda, Henry Banda, Daud Mtanthiko, Ronald Chiwaula and Akuzike Kafwamba were elected executive committee members.
