Government gets tough
Government says with immediate effect, sports associations and athletes should get consent from Malawi National Council of Sports to participate in international tournaments or risk sanctions.
Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama yesterday said in an interview the directive has been issued after noting growing cases of athletes getting stranded in foreign land.
He said: “We have instructed Sports Council that from now onwards, associations and athletes must be cleared before travelling outside to take part in international tournaments.
“There have been cases whereby as a country, we have been embarrassed when athletes are stranded.
“We have to put this to a stop and ensure that procedures are being followed. There has to be sanity in the way we do things.
“There is lack of discipline on the part of some associations and athletes and it is time we put our house in order.”
The minister said the other reason for issuing the directive is that council needs to assess the state of preparedness financially.
Sports Council acting executive secretary Henry Mereka confirmed the development yesterday.
“It has been our concern for sometime that some associations send athletes for international tournaments without our knowledge.
“Now, it becomes a problem when the athletes get stranded in foreign land. So, we are happy that government has intervened,” he said.
Mereka said they encourage associations and athletes to get clearance because it helps the council assess their financial capacity.
“It also helps us assess their state of preparedness,” he said.
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) general secretary Frank Chitembeya and Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) president Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba said they will adhere to government’s order.
Said Chitembeya: “As an association we are affiliated to Sports Council, which is mandated by government to run sports affairs in the country. So, we have to comply to the directive.
“When we send athletes to take part in international tournaments, they represent the country, so it is proper that we get consent from the council all the time.”
On his part, Zimba said: “In fact, to us it is not a new issue because when we met the minister alongside our Maba [Malawi Boxing Association] counterparts, it was also raised.
“The minister dwelt on the issue at length and I can assure him that we will adhere to the directive.”
In November last year, four athletes—Francis Khanje, Happy Mcherenje, Mphatso Nadolo and Doris Fisha—got stranded in Tanzania where they travelled to compete at the Dodoma Marathon.
Their travel documents were confiscated at a hotel they were booked for failing to pay accommodation bills.
Mereka then said council would investigate how the athletes made the trip without their knowledge.
