‘Here we are’

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) presidential aspirants Wilkins Mijiga and Willy Yabwanya Phiri unveiled their blueprints within 24 hours in their quest to wrest the country’s football hot seat from the incumbent Walter Nyamilandu.

Mijiga officially launched his manifesto at Lilongwe Golf Club on Thursday evening whereas Yabwanya Phiri unveiled his at Crossroads Hotel also in the Capital City on Friday.

In his blueprint titled ‘New philosophy to leadership in football in Malawi’, Mijiga has dwelt much on grass roots and player welfare, blaming the current FAM leadership and government for negligence in developing grassroots football.

“Focus has been on building the national football team at the expense of grass roots football. There is no way you can produce results with the senior team if you fail to nurture talent at grass roots.  Schools sport was in the hands of the Education Ministry but not anymore and we are changing this, “ said Mijiga’s campaign team head Henry Chibowa during the manifesto presentation.

Mijiga also promised to make football commercially viable through empowerment of Super League teams and sports associations.

“We will assemble a star-studded sales and marketing team to promote, sell and market Malawi to the international market including the major league TV. We have strategic corporate plans for regional sports associations to help them be self-financing, “ said Chibowa in outlining Mijiga’s vision.

He said Mijiga has comprehensive plans to transform players’ welfare through creation of employment opportunities,  contracts that stipulatesterms and conditions of employment,  a set of minimum compensation package that gives a decent living standards and also through professional insurance and work person compensation.

“It is unfortunate that players in our leagues live hand to mouth yet when the same players go to Mozambique they come back transformed economically and driving posh cars. It shows something is wrong with our football administration.  We are changing all that, “ said Mijiga in an interview after the presentation.

Yabwanya Phiri was one of the notable figures who attended Mijiga’s launch. Others included Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Innocent Bottoman, National Football Referees Committee (NFRC) general secretary Chris Kalichero and former Flames midfielder Peterkins Kayira.

Yabwanya said he attended Mijiga’s blueprint launch because they share the same vision to take the game to a higher level.

And unveiling his blueprint on Friday, Yabwanya Phiri said once elected he will form a Super League for women football, saying the fact that Tabitha Chawinga has made success in Sweden,   is enough evidence that women football has a future.

“I believe our national women football can put this country on the world map if well invested in. The fact that Chawinga has scored 40 goals in a European league is enough testimony that there is a future for our girls in football. I will form a top women league in the country equivalent to the men’s league “ said Yabwanya, claiming that Fifa is ready to fund the league.

“Fifa has a tailor-made programme for such projects. For a 12-member league Fifa provides $40 000 [about K24.8 million], and $20 000 [about K12.4 million] for an eight member league. I will also engage the corporate world for segmented sponsorship just like Airtel is doing with netball, “ he said.

On his vision of men’s football, the Karonga United owner said he will work hard to find sponsorship for all Super League teams and not just for a few.

“Football cannot move forward if only the top teams have sponsorship.  We need to find sponsorship for all the teams in the league to enhance fair competition.”

The FAM presidential hopeful said he will use his connections in Canada to woo investors into football.

On grass roots football, Yabwanya said he will revive youth leagues.

“I have made arrangements with the Australian Football Federation and former Arsenal youth development coach to train local coaches on grass roots football, “ he said.

On empowerment of FAM affiliates, Yabwanya said he will increase subvention from K150 000 to K1 million each.

“To ensure economic sustainability of all affiliates I will organise a strategic forum with the corporate world at least once a year with focus on the benefits and opportunities that football brings to the coporate world and the economy at large “ he said.

Yabwanya also outlined his vision to ensure players live a decent life after football.

“Through the Willy Yabwanya Phiri Foundation I will offer help to players who want to go back to school or colleges to study.  This will minimise players that struggle, “ he said.

In his closing remarks Yabwanya endorsed Tiya Somba-Banda and Pikawo Ngalamira for first and second vice-presidency, respectively.

Meanwhile, Nyamilandu is set to unveil his manifesto this morning also in Lilongwe. n