Budget tops FAM EGM agenda

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said submission of financial statements is among the key agenda items at the association’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

At its failed annual general meeting (AGM) held in Mangochi last December, FAM only tackled the issue of elections which was the last item after the general assembly to hold the EGM within three months.

“All the other items that were not tackled at the elective AGM such as submission of consolidated financial statements, activity report and budget approval will be tabled at the EGM,” said Nyirenda.

He added: “One of the key items will be the approval of the budget because we cannot operate a budget.”

Nyirenda said in the absence of audited and approved accounts, Fifa cannot release quarterly funding to the association.

“Of course, they [Fifa] released funding for the first quarter but it was treated as a special case and they made it clear that we will only get the next funding upon submission of audited accounts and budget approval.”

The FAM GS said the EGM will cost an extra K7.5 million (about $9 970) having spent K17.5 million (about $23 263) on the failed AGM bringing the total to K24.5 million (about $32 568).

Following a High Court injunction which was obtained by defeated presidential aspirants Wilkins Mijiga and Willy Yabwanya Phiri and vice-presidential hopeful Tiya Somba-Banda, the assembly opted to suspend all deliberations instead of proceeding with other items on the agenda.

Apart from the executive committee, 36 delegates from FAM affiliates are expected to attend the EGM as delegates.