Some disgruntled lawn tennis players plan not to take part in the finals of the Presidential Initiative on Sports slated for May 24-25 in Lilongwe citing Lawn Tennis Association of Malawi’s (LTAM) alleged maladministration as the reason.
The players said they will not take part in the event and they will block others from going to the games unless LTAM arranges an annual general meeting. They say they want to present grievances such as LTAM’s removal of prizes from this year’s regional finals and exclusion of senior players from the contest.
Recently, the senior tennis players wrote a letter titled: ‘Declaration of vote of no confidence in the entire LTAM committee’, which they presented to Sports Council two months ago.
“We are tired with the current executive committee. We want fresh elections before the PIS contest. We have, therefore, agreed with the junior players to boycott the games,” said Under-18 defending PIS champion, Wilson Paul.
Another prominent tennis player Ronald Kandulu told The Nation yesterday that they are wondering why LTAM is not fulfilling its promise to include senior players in the PIS games.
However, LTAM president Duncan Gumbi said they will not back down to the players’ demand and they will go on with the competition with junior players only because the event is meant for youth development.
“We have not received their grievances in writing. But let me make it clear that we will proceed with the finals in Lilongwe. That is the only reply they (the concerned players) should get,” said Gumbi.
