Bulk of coaches elected unopposed

The elections for the national football coaches body saw most of the members elected unopposed during an annual general assembly held at Kamuzu Institute for Sports (KIS), Lilongwe on Sunday.

Apart from a few misunderstandings that led to former general secretary Peterkins Kayira walking out of the meeting, the proceedings went on smoothly.

Under-17 national coach John Kaputa was re-elected chairperson unopposed. His deputy is Jomo Ngonga who coaches Mzuni FC while the new general secretary is Escom United mentor Charles Manda. They were also ushered in unopposed.

The elections, that were presided over by FAM second vice-president Pikawo Ngalamila and the association’s executive committee member James Mwenda, also saw Alex Ngwira being elected treasurer while Benjamin Kumwenda was elected organising and publicity secretary also unopposed.

Mighty Wanderers team manager and Flames goalkeeper trainer McHodges Chunga and Blue Eagles mentor Deklerk Msakakuona were elected vice-treasurer and executive committee member respectively.

Ngalamila described the elections as free and fair.

Kaputa said the committee’s immediate challenge would be to ensure that there is unity among coaches.

“We need to work as a united front in order to achieve our goals of helping to improve the standards of football in the country.

“We also need to work with other stakeholders in ensuring that we come up with a harmonised football calendar and also come up with a strategic plan which will guide us on the way forward,” said Kaputa.

The committee also adopted a new constitution. Kaputa also said regional coaches committee heads would also be co-opted into the executive committee as per their constitution.

He also thanked KIS management for allowing them to hold their AGM at their premises for free.