After a bitter exchange of pangas, threats and intimidation, Mighty Wanderers family finally regrouped to seek a fresh mandate at the Lali Lubani Road through last Sunday’s elections.
Save for the exit of David Kanyenda as general secretary and his deputy Hubert Mfune, the proceedings at the Wanderers Club House did not produce major casualties.
A few weeks ago, Wanderers’ rivals Bullets also made wholesale changes to their office bearers. Last season, Silver Strikers too held relatively peaceful elections.
My only concern is on the composition of the three giants’ executive committees. Bullets have Austin Kasito and Mary Chenda Mkandawire from the Central and Northern regions in their executive to give the Peoples’ Team a semblance of a national identity.
But in Wanderers, there is so much regional imbalance because the whole executive committee is drawn from the Southern Region, Blantyre to be specific.
Similarly, Silver draw the bulk of their executive members from Lilongwe with sponsors Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) contributing their prescribed quota from the headquarters. One wonders whether the Blantyre RBM staff cannot vie for these positions.
The executive committees speak clearly that the three teams are merely regional clubs masquerading as national football teams.
The recent elections results run counter to the big three’s claims that they are national football forces.
Could this perhaps explain why they are unable to commercialise and have their fans registered?
Not too long ago, drawing board membership from one geographic area made convenience sense, especially when it comes to holding meetings.
But this is the 21st century, the country and the world is increasingly becoming a small globalised village. Everything is a keypad away; from an affordable device such as a smart mobile phone it is possible to host meetings.
Technological advancements enable any grouping to hold meetings minus the physical presence through teleconferences, skype and whatsapp.
Time has come for Bullets, Wanderers and Silver to open up and exploit the football business opportunities that a diverse fan base brings.