FAM targets leagues restart in 30 days
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) wants all football leagues in the country to restart in 30 days.
FAM Covid-19 Task Force chairperson Chimango Munthali said the association has made progress towards the resumption of all football leagues following a successful virtual meeting with member associations last week.
“Remember we had the elite league restart project that went on well. This time around, we have embarked on a big thing. We want to restart all football league games before the end of 30 days.
“So far, we have made progress, we had a virtual meeting last week where we engaged all member association and the meeting went on well. Each member association has been given a task to work on their proposed restart plan,” he said.
Munthali further disclosed that they have a template to be filled to come up with a good proposal for the total football restart project.
Asked if it is practical to resume the games by the the end of 30 days as put by FAM, both Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) chairperson Raphael Humba and Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) general secretary Masiya Nyasulu nodded to FAM proposal.
“Yes it is very possible to start the league by the end of 30 days because every association has done all the ground work. Teams are already identified and are just waiting for that day,”said Nyasulu.
On his part, Humba said they are ready even if it means earlier than the proposed 30 days.
On the other hand, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) general secretary Bernard Chiwiruwiru Harawa said they are still consulting teams to see if it is possible to restart the league in the next 30 days.
However, CRFA Premier League sides St Gabriel FC said it will be ideal to start the league as soon as possible.
“We need to start the games at all costs so that we catch up with the Super League who already started the games. I have no problem with the FAM proposal,” said club’s team manager Ringo Kashulu.
Soccer analyst George Kaudza Masina blamed FAM for suspending football.
“In the first place, nobody stopped football from continuing. The number of 50 could not have stopped FAM from continuing with the league. All they needed was to reason with the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 the numbers which they are advocating now.
“As for the Premier Division leagues, they could have been used as curtain-raisers and the season could have run smoothly. To speed up the league’s, mid-week matches could have been put in place.
“FAM and Sulom might be wishing our football well, but their indecisiveness leaves a lot to be desired. Otherwise we need our football as of yesterday. Football restart is very possible with good planning,” he said.
