Malawi Anti-Doping Organisation (Mado) has backed the world governing body, Fifa for a ban meted out on former Flames and Silver Strikers midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula.
Fifa banned for life the former Flames player, who was Silver Strikers team manager, from all football-related activities after being found guilty of being involved in match manipulation in violation of Article 69 Part 1 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.
Fifa Disciplinary Committee found the Malawian guilty in connection with alleged match-fixing during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola where he was part of the Malawi squad.
Mado vice-general secretary Brutus Ndhlovu said the ban should act as a lesson to Malawian athletes.
“Mado encourages true spirit of sportsmanship. Any form of cheating, be it betting or use of banned substances, has no place in our sports.
He said Mado has lined up educational and awareness activities, targeting team officials such as doctors managers and coaches to sensitise them on the dangers of doping.
Mado has sport ambassadors such as Nyasa Big Bullets defender Yamikani Fodya and Queens netball player Takondwa Lwazi.
Soccer Analyst Kimu Kamau supported Mado’s gesture.
“It’s a lesson that players and administrators should know who they are talking to. I do not blame Fifa but ourselves on the ban. This has put us to shame as a football nation,” he said.
Mwakasungula was implicated by Fifa after an extensive investigations by Fifa, which also saw eight others from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sierra Leon, Benin, Trinidad and Tobago and Afghanistan punished.
However, he has said he is innocent and has since filed an appeal against the ban.
