Sports Council summons FAM

Malawi National Council of Sports has summoned FAM over the football governing body’s decision to defy an order not to proceed with regional associations’ elections.

Sports Council ordered Football Association of Malawi (FAM) not to proceed with the polls until concerns over irregularities in the nomination process were sorted out but the association snubbed the order arguing that all the concerns were addressed.

In an interview yesterday, the council’s acting executive secretary Henry Mereka said: “We summoned FAM to a meeting which was supposed to be held on Thursday, but they said they would not be available on that day.

“But even if they are finalising the polls tomorrow [today], we will still be pursuing to meet them in the interest of the development of the sport.”

He also said Sports Council’s position remains that the elections should have been upended.

“It is in the best interest of all stakeholders to get this issue resolved.

“Nevertheless, we do not want to be in conflict or interfere  with its operations, but we have a duty to advise and guide them as our affiliate.

“In the same vein  we are not saying they are in the wrong, but we want to ensure that proper procedures are followed.”

However, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said they are proceeding with the elections because all the concerns were addressed.

He was quoted as having said: “We wrote Sports Council on the basis of our decision to go ahead with the elections.

The Northern Region Football Association conducted its polls last week while the South and Centre will conduct theirs  today.

Just like was the case previously, most of the contestants are going in unopposed.