Some NAM affiliates raise concerns on nominations
Some members of the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) affiliates have written the Malawi National Council of Sports expressing concern on how the electoral committee is handling nominations for the association’s upcoming polls.
The elections are scheduled for this Saturday in Lilongwe.

Among others, the letter signed by nine district chairpersons from Southern and Eastern regions, cites reversal of decisions on candidate eligibility, clarification on the disqualification of former general secretary Carol Bapu, who was eyeing the position of president and alleged use of unapproved Sports Council guidelines and external interference.
It further cites alleged violation of the NAM constitution on nomination timelines and communication and alleged compromised independence of the electoral committee.
On eligibility, the letter reads: “On 4th August, 2025, the committee released a list of candidates and indicated that only Carol Bapu was ineligible to contest on the basis that she had already served two consecutive terms as general secretary.
“Surprisingly, the same committee has now reversed its decision by declaring [vice-president aspirant] Olive Msungama ineligible to stand.
“On 15th August, 2025, the committee released a revised nomination list stating that Olive had withdrawn her candidature. In the absence of any formal communication from Olive herself, we strongly believe that she did not withdraw voluntarily, but was coerced into doing so.”
The affiliates also state that they were taken aback by the committee’s decision to request candidates to submit their educational qualification certificates for vetting as a requirement for eligibility, arguing that “the constitution does not stipulate academic qualifications as a prerequisite for serving in the NAM executive.
On Bapu’s disqualification, the affiliates argue that the constitutional clause cited is ambiguous “and does not clearly specify which positions fall under such restriction”.
The affiliates also claim that during a meeting held in Blantyre, affiliates and Sports Council agreed that the guidelines currently being used by council required stakeholder input before implementation.
“To date, no such consultation has taken place,” reads the letter.
The affiliates have since asked Sports Council to suspend the NAM elective general assembly until the matters raised are reviewed and resolved”.
The committee’s chairperson Zione Ntaba, a High Court of Malawi judge, said: “We will review [the contents] and revert.”
On the otherr hand, Sports Council chief executive officer Henry Kamata said as of mid day yesterday, they had not received the letter.
“[But], based on this letter which they claim to follow their NAM constitution, they should be aware that the same constitution provides mechanisms for handling such matters. NAM is an independent organisation which has its own statutes, policies and regulations.
“They have addressed their concerns to a wrong institution because Sports Council does not run the affairs of its affiliates.”