Former Football Players Association (FFPA) has said some of its members are failing to graduate from Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) as it is struggling raise the required K1.2 million, four months after completing the courses.
The association, through its chairperson Ojukwu Malunga and executice members Thom Milanzi and Lawrence Mnenula, yesterday appealed to the public, to assist them towards the cause.
Said Malunga: “Push has come to shove. We have tried to approach several organisations and individuals, including FAM and Sports Council, but all we get are assurances. Unfortunately, time is against us because our plans were that from Blantyre, the exercise should move to the other regions.
“We are, therefore, appealing to well-wishers including political figures such as party presidents to come to our rescue. There are people in politics who have been involved in sports in general and football in particular before such as the First Gentleman [Retired Chief Justice Richard Banda], former president Bakili Muluzi, Brown Mpinganjira, Friday Jumbe and Rev. Dr Lazarus Chakwera, they can also assist us.
“Those willing to assist can issue the payment directly to Teveta.”
He said about 43 ex and current footballers attended various technical and vocational training, but cannot hunt for jobs without certificates.
“Some of the current players who benefited from the programme include Victor Mpinganjira and Idrissa Walesi,” he said.
Milanzi said it is sad that a former player like Ganizani Malunga who completed one of the courses, has been forced to take a post of a kit master because he is yet to get a certificate.
“It is not like we are blaming Teveta for holding us at ransom. In fact, we appreciate what they did to us because, normally, the minimum qualification for their course is an MSCE, but they were kind enough to allow our members to enrol even when some of them did not possess a Junior Certificate of Education,” he said.
