Sunday shot

Malawi football secrets II

Before ink had dried on my last week’s entry exposing the same evil, some officials drawn from across the country were invited to witness the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy final between Silver Strikers and eventual winners, Mighty Wanderers last Saturday.

As if their free entries were not enough, these undignified guests got paid allowances for doing virtually nothing except yawning and clapping hands at Civo Stadium. And you tell me there is no money for Malawi football?

Enough of that. You think being a guest of honour at a sports function is an honour? You must be crazy.

Some government officials have their proper definition of honour. They draw allowances from government coffers for them to go and grace sports functions, only to demand the same from the usually poor hosts.

Sponsorship is another source of income for individuals. Ever wondered that there are times when club sponsorship money has been released, yet players are grumbling over unpaid perks?

There is also talk that some officials take their resourcefulness a step further by investing the sponsorship money in financial securities and make a killing before releasing the money for its intended purpose. It is clever thinking, only that the extra money ends in personal pockets.

That is why anyone else should never cheat you that they run Malawi football. Truth is that fans run the show. They collect gate collections, share among themselves and hand over the rest to club officials. Dare stop the fans from managing the gate collections, you will be shown the exit.

Some bigger-than-life fans are even on monthly payrolls. If you want to survive in Malawi football administration, just toy the line of the rampant savagery. You cannot beat them. Just join them.

Without fear or favour, I know one or two sports reporters who bully their way into being bought free beers around town with uncooperating officials being threatened that “I will finish you”. Shame!

What is also never said is that a few days before a game, some referees acting on behalf of their assigned colleagues, call officials demanding kickbacks. In some cases, it is vice versa; coaches court the referees offering kickbacks. Now you know.

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