I was left unimpressed by the way FAM justified the gargantuan K36 million for the Cosafa tournament. To begin with, after giving a breakdown of the amounts, the sum total does not even come to K30 million. Well, I took it that perhaps the difference would cater for incidentals.
However, what shocked me was the last part where the FAM accountant said Malawi is justified to spend K36 million because the rest of our colleagues at the tournament are spending bigger sums. The accountant went on to mention Zambia who have a K150 million budget for the tournament.
This sounds funny to me. Does it mean if my neighbour drives a Hummer, I have to buy an X5 BMW when my sponsors’ budget can only afford a Toyota Corolla? I have no wish to create smoke where there is no fire, however, I believe FAM should learn to be prudent in times of abundance. It will help them survive in lean moments, which may just be around the corner.
Just a few days ago, the now cash-loaded FAM was on the verge of procuring an extra luxury bus despite already receiving another luxury bus donated by the South African Football Association. After the media raised eyebrows, FAM rescinded its decision but did not fully disabuse itself of the ostentatious propitiations as they decided to buy a 36-seater minibus. I have no idea what purpose this minibus would serve that cannot be served by the donated bus.
I do not wish to appear unpatriotic. I know FAM has budgeted for the whole tournament up to the finals. Although we know our team will not win the tournament. The coach already predicted that Zambia will win it. I believe the coach was being honest. I believe honesty is a virtue one must aspire for than fake patriotism. Nonetheless, being an ardent soccer fan, I wish the Flames all the best. I will keenly follow our match against Mozambique on Monday.
So, there is more to this young coach called Elia Kananji. The works of his hands are speaking volumes for him.
Remind me again, why did Bullets fire Kananji and recruit a foreign coach in Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan? Oh yes, I remember, they did not want a coach who could not hold his own when engaged in a conversation in the Queen’s language.
Bullets might just as well hire an English professor from the university the next time they have a vacancy in that job.
I am in mourning this week at the passing of fellow journalist Raphael Tenthani who was laid to rest on Monday. There are already too many eulogies and epitaphs in his honour on social media and elsewhere, describing him as an honest and brilliant journalist.
He may not have been an ardent fan of sports despite the fact that his favourite place to unwind was “Sportsman’s at Sunbird Mount Soche. But R10, as he was fondly referred to, always enjoyed the company of friends. I know he used to support Liverpool when pressed to disclose where sympathies were, but he had no clue who Jamie Carragher was at Liverpool. He was often watching English Premier League matches because he wanted to be in the company of friends most of whom love the game. That is why he will be missed much by his friends and all of us. He was more than just a brilliant journalist.
