TAM fights to reclaim recognition
Taekwondo Association of Malawi (TAM) has intensified search for fees to pay to World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) to reclaim full membership and enjoy benefits such as grants and participation in international competitions.
According to TAM national coach Lovemore Masinga, Malawi is currently sidelined from WTF activities because the association has not paid the $300 (about K125 000) annual affiliation fee to the world governing body for the past three years.
This means TAM is supposed to pay K450 000 (US$1 071) to get back into the WTF fold.
Masinga could not say why they have not been paying the fees, but said the issue is quite cryptic.
“We are currently looking for funds to pay the arrears we accumulated over the past three years. We ask well-wishers to help us,” said Masinga.
Before the WTF removed Malawi’s vote in 2011, TAM was receiving over K4 million (US$9 524) annual grants. It was also benefiting from training courses, through which Malawi participated in international competitions such as the Kwanjangnim Championships in South Africa in 2010.
During the Kwanjangnim contest, Malawi won three gold and three silver medals through the current national champion Medson Ntila (two golds); Yamikani Chimpeni (gold and silver); Mayeso Mkwembe (silver) and Andrew Soole (silver).
