Seven out of nine seek re-election

Five months to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) elections, seven of the nine current executive committee members have confirmed that they will seek re-election while one is undecided and the other has counted himself out.

Five of the members, including incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu and second vice-president Pikawo Ngalamira will contest for their current positions while executive members James Mwenda and Othaniel Hara intend to vie for the positions of first and second-vice president respectively.

So far, none of the current executive members has challenged Nyamilandu. However, legendary Flames goalkeeper Boniface Maganga and Chikwawa United FC owner Owen Chomanika have expressed interest to challenge him.

In another interesting development, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda is also vying for first vice-presidency.

Current first-vice president Moses Mkandawire is yet to decide on whether to contest whereas executive member Alexander Waya has ruled himself out.

Jabar Alide, Flora Mwandira and Paul Mzungu have declared their interest to seek re-election as executive committee members.

Mwenda, who chairs the association’s referees sub-committee told said on Thursday that he is vying for the position of first vice-president “because I have observed that the office has been inactive”.

“The office of the [first] vice-president is supposed to be pro-active by initiating programmes and also supporting the president. I started administration from the grass roots and I know what is needed to develop football. I believe I can do well as vice-president,” he said.

“My focus will be on shaping programmes for grass roots football, youth development and also conduct frequent training for coaches and match officials.”

Somba-Banda said he will come up with his manifesto at an appropriate time.

Ngalamira said his 10-year experience in football administration coupled with the role he played in setting up beach soccer, speak volumes about his capabilities.

“My main interest really is to help FAM advance generation of own income for operations and spearhead commercialisation drive,” he said.

On his part, Hara claimed that he has been advised by the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) to contest for a higher position.

“The NRFA is impressed that alongside other members, I successfully lobbied for the construction of a technical centre in the North,” he said.

Mzungu said he still has a lot to offer in the development of the game.

“I attended Fifa training on sports medicine and I want the country to benefit. I can do this well within the confines of FAM as it will provide me a platform to implement the knowledge to as many affiliates as possible,” he said.

On his part, Alide said he will stand once he gets nominated by affiliates.

“I am not seeking any top position as I am comfortable and happy with the current one and once affiliates nominate me, definitely I will stand,” he said.

Mwandira said: “There has been a lot of progress under the current leadership and want to be part of the team that will help improve the performance of both men and women national teams. We have been stagnant in women in terms of participating in international tournaments as well as youth programmes.”

Incumbent first vice-president Mkandawire said he is still in the consultation process.

“At the moment, I cannot say whether I will stand as I have to consult my employers Livingstonia Synod. I also want to talk to the affiliates that put me in this position in 2005.

“I just do not want to rush things. I will make my position known at an appropriate time,” he said in a telephone interview from Mzuzu.

Waya said: “It has been a great experience serving FAM. I have learnt a lot and can ably appreciate the challenges the association is facing, but I feel it is time to go and do other things.”

Nine affiliates—Sulom, National Football Referees Committee (NFRC), National Football Coaches Committee (NFCC), National Youth Football Committee (NYFC),  Beach Soccer Malawi (BSM), National Women Football Committee (NWFC) and three regional sports associations will vote in December.

Sulom has eight votes, each regional association will have six members voting, whereas BSM, NFRC, NFCC, NYFC  and NWFC will each have two members voting translating into 36 voters in total.

Sulom president and NWFC chairpersons will automatically become executive members as per the revised FAM constitution.