Flames housing pledge stalls

There is no discernable progress on Sports Minister Enoch Chihana’s pledge made in June, offering all Flames players Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) houses.

Chihana was not available for comment but Principal Secretary Justin Saidi on Wednesday simply said they were waiting for “a list of the national team players, then we will determine the other modalities of who benefits.”

MHC general manager Wezzie Mkandawire was not readily available.

Sources indicated on Wednesday that the parastatal is struggling with huge demand for houses.

Ministry of Lands Principal Secretary responsible for housing Elsie Tembo, whose office should have now been made aware of the Flames housing offer, yesterday said she was not aware of the development.

When Chihana announced the housing offer, some quarters questioned as to who specifically is a national team player as call-ups are fluid.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Wednesday said his office was waiting for direction from government, through the Sports Council, over the housing pledge.

In June, Chihana was quoted as telling The Nation that would want to motivate national team players by giving them MHC houses.