Govt approves football restart
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 has approved the restart of football.
The decision comes five days before the Flames host Uganda in 2022 Africa Cup of Nation on Monday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
This follows Football Association of Malawi (FAM) proposal submitted to the task force in February through Ministry of Youth and Sports to allow footbal to be played with 98 people.
Ministry of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda yesterday told MBC Radio 2 that government will on Friday gazette into law the change of public government from 50 to 100 to enable football resumption.
However, she said the supporters will still be restricted from the matches.
FAM Covid-19 task Force chairperson Chimango Munthali confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
He said: “Yes, basically, they have approved the proposed number of having matches which we put at 98, excluding supporters.”
Munthali thanked government for approving the football restart plan, which will allow not just the Flames to host the Uganda’s Cranes, but also restart of local matches.
He said: “This means we are going to start not just the TNM Super League, but also the regional leagues which will be played under the same conditions.”
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Tiya Somba Banda said they are ready to resume the league which was supended in January after government gazetted the 50 people restriction on public gatherings.
“As you are aware we already started preparing for the restart of the league by testing players, referees, stewards and other officials involved in match organisation.
“Following the approval of the proposal to restart football, Sulom executive committee will meet to come up with the exact date when the games can resume.”
Football Players Association (FPA) general secretary Ernest Mangani thanked government for allowing football to resume and promsied to adhere to precautionary measures put in place by government.
He said: “It is important that everyone one should be serious. We should not take chances. We will follow the protocols so that we flatten the curve, if football is to continue being played.”
