Sports Council launches guidelines for associations
Malawi National Council of Sports has launched guidelines all sports associations affiliated to it are expected to follow to improve sports management and enhance accountability.
The guidelines were launched during the sports conference held last week which was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with Sports Council in Lilongwe.
A booklet containing the guidelines, signed by the council’s board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise, states that all sports associations shall be given up to six months to submit copies of their constitutions, regulations and policies.
The guidelines, among others, seek to enhance vision and mission of the Sports Council, provide acceptable standards of good sport management and promote values of good governance.
The booklet reads in part: “[The guidelines seek to] assist national sport associations and other stakeholders to appreciate and understand standards and conduct that are respected and valued within the sport sector.
“To provide a deterrent against unacceptable behaviours and practices which may be detrimental to sport development and assist sports associations to embrace best practices in sport leadership.”
It also says for any sports association to be recognised by the council, they must have a constitution that is in line and approved by it and with dictates of their respective international federations.
The booklet further says associations will be required to hold annual general meetings and elective general meetings as stipulated by their constitutions.
Reads part of the booklet: “An association must have a strategic plan and related implementation plan, produce a work plan and calendar of events, have an office with at least one permanent member of staff and physical address.”
It also states that a president of an association should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree while a secretary should have a minimum of a diploma offered by an accredited academic institution of higher learning.
Under the guidelines, associations will also be required to declare all sources of funding from within and outside Malawi and provide annual audited accounts.
In an interview yesterday, Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said failure to meet the conditions shall have repercussions.
He said: “The guidelines were read out to the associations during the conference and we expect them to abide by them failing which, there will be consequences.”
Netball Association of Malawi vice-president Chimwemwe Bakali said they need more time to go through the document and see how they can align the contents with their constitution.
On the other hand, Malawi Amatuer Boxing Association vice-president Francis Kadzakalowa welcomed the guidelines.
He said: “They have come at a right time when sports is not doing well and from the look of things, the guidelines have touched both on technical and administrative aspects.
