BB, Moyale pass test
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says Nyasa Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks are the only teams that have made the grade to play in the TNM Super League in the forthcoming season under the club licensing system (CLS).
The local football governing body regulates clubs through the Fifa designed CLS which promotes commercialisation of club football across the world.
FAM licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale yesterday said two others—Blue Eagles and Civil Sporting Club—have been given provisional licences.
Twelve others—Be Forward Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Masters Security, Kamuzu Barracks, Mzuzu University, Dwangwa United, Mighty Tigers, Karonga United, Chitipa United, Ntopwa FC, TN Stars and Mlatho Mponela—have all failed to meet the requirements, having scored below 55 percent.
“Bullets came tops having met 92 percent of the requirements while Moyale were second with 84 percent.
“Blue Eagles and Civil Sporting scored between 56 and 69 percent and were given provisional licences while the rest scored below 55 percent,” Jangale said.
He said those that failed to secure licences will be required to appeal to the CLS committee upon paying a K50 000 fine and will be summoned to appear before the committee to be heard.
Among other things, under the CLS clubs are required to have reserve and youth teams and a clear development programme; infrastructure which requires a club to have a training base and match venue; administrative personnel which incorporates player contracts, a secretariat and a minimum of CAF B coaching licence for the head coach and CAF A licence for the technical director; Clubs are also supposed to have a bank account and submit accounts for the previous season.
The FAM official said the areas which most clubs failed to meet are payment of K1 million surety and submission of accounts.
Bullets administration director Albert Chigoga said as of yesterday, they were yet to be communicated about the outcome of the process.
“But if it is true, then we have every reason to be excited because it means we are getting it right,” he said.
During a club licensing workshop held last month in Lilongwe, lawyer Allan Muhome, who heads the First Instance Body, a FAM independent organ responsible for club licensing, said they have been tolerant in issuing licences in the past and would take a hardline from next season.
“Club licensing is a new initiative, so we tried to be accommodative. But we believe that clubs have been sensitised enough and do not have excuses,” he said. n
