Sports council queries FAM
Malawi National Council of Sports has written Football Association of Malawi (FAM) demanding an explanation on why the association regards guidelines set for all the affiliates of the parastatal as government interference.
Last week, the council asked FAM, which goes to the polls on December 16 in Mzuzu, to follow the guidelines which, among other things, stipulate a maximum of two terms of office and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree academic requirement for aspirants of top positions.
However, FAM statutes set the maximum terms of office to three and also scraped off academic qualifications requirement.
Reacting to the Sports Council reminder, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said it was against its electoral code which states that government rules on elections shall not apply to the elected internal organs of FAM and the electoral rules of FAM shall not require the approval of any government organ.
Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa in an interview yesterday confirmed writing FAM demanding an explanation.
He said: “We reminded FAM, just like all other associations affiliated to Sports Council, to follow the constitution and also the guidelines. But it seems like FAM does not want to follow these guidelines.
“So, we have indeed written them to find out whether they will follow the guidelines or not. We just want to be clear. Do they intend to follow the guidelines or not. If not, why?”
Gunda in an interview yesterday confirmed receiving the letter from Sports Council.
He said: “They want us to explain why we say that what council is doing is interference and we will respond to the letter accordingly,”
Nominations for the various positions started on November 2 and so far incumbent president Walter Nyamilandu and Super League of Malawi presidents Fleetwood Haiya are nominees for the presidency.
Former FAM first vice-president James Mwenda has been nominated for his old post and will face incumbent executive committee member Christopher Kuyeri.
Northern Region Football Association chairperson Lameck Khonje has been nominated for the post of second vice-president and will face incumbent Othaniel Hara.
National Football Referees Association chairperson Patrick Kapanga, Chimango Munthali and Felister Dossi have been nominated for the post of members.
