Why hooliganism persists

Having fled from Kamuzu Stadium, I should have instantly poured out in ink my emotions at that ill-tempered TNM Super League clash between Blue Eagles and Mighty Wanderers a fortnight ago.

But in this business of chronicling history in a hurry, writing under dangerous influence of emotions is discouraged.

Having been rescued from the chase of a rowdy fan, mistaking me for a referee for the mere fact that I clutched a green bip, I should have sought revenge through the pen.

But it would be merely scratching the surface bashing Wanderers for being a safe haven for hooligans. Big Bullets and Silver Strikers and others cannot stand on higher moral ground.

My heart goes to victims of this domestic football cancer.

“Be careful driving towards Limbe, my sister’s vehicle has just been smashed. I don’t know what can be done to end this,” that was the a woman offered before taking my order at Chichiri Shopping Mall after that game.

Little did she know that it took the intervention of two former players to pump sense into that hooligan who chased me from the stadium right to the Sports Council’s fence.

It should not be difficult guessing what would have become of me had the crowd, which had started believing and giving this hooligan company, cornered me.

I wrote earlier that one of the contributing factors to hooliganism is that we have lowered football administration standards. Most occupants of senior club positions are typical fans.

They mislead fellow fans with careless and provocative remarks that amplify expectations and emotions, thereby sowing seeds of violence.

Because they think and act with their feet and tongues, such club administrators belong to the terraces.

Football administration is for sober people who are able to manage even their fans by making them understand that there can only be one winner.

The bigger problem with hooliganism and violence is that no one is really in control of Malawi football when it comes to enforcement.

No one bothers to enforce resolutions in an April 2005 booklet titled ‘Operating Manual for Curbing Hooliganism and Related Violence at Sports Venues.”

Produced after October 10 2004 skirmishes, which Bullets fans sparked following 1-1 CAF Champions

League draw with Enyimba, the resolutions do not even require money to implement.