Council sets conditions for associations

The Malawi National Sports Council (MNSC) has advised sports associations to form a strategic plan as a blueprint for their operations if they are to get government help.

Council executive secretary George Jana said this at Sunbird Lilongwe during a Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) annual general meeting.

“As sports associations, you have to formulate a plan as to what your objectives are for a specific period of time and as to how you are going to achieve that. With a strategic plan, it makes it easier to convince government to assist you,” said Jana.

He also advised associations to have established offices where the secretariat can operate from.

“We have an incident where Standard Bank publicly faulted the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) for operating from homes. This is the 21st century, we have to move with the times,” said Jana.

It was established that out of the council’s 30 affiliates, only football, volleyball and athletes have designated offices.

Jana cited the Canoeing Association of Malawi (CAM) and Wrestling Federation as some of its affiliates that have failed to make progress since being established last year.

During the AGM, MOC admitted that the country’s failure to succeed in international competition is mainly due to selection criteria.

“Selection criteria, timing and qualification remain potential pitfalls. On team and athletes selection, we have put guidelines for minimum requirement,” said MOC president Oscar Kanjala.

During the AGM, MOC announced a surplus of K8.7 million (about $34 000) from the K62 million (about $248 000) grants it received in 2011 season. In 2010, MOC had a surplus of K1 155 379 (about $4 621).