Malawi Sports Council introduces code of conduct

Malawi’s Sports Council board has proposed radical changes to domestic sports, including introduction of general disciplinary sports code to curb mischief such as violence and irresponsible utterances.

There is no such code across the sports disciplines amid cases of national sports team unbecoming behaviour during local and outside trips.

Once approved, the proposals, which are in the final stages of adoption, will see irresponsible associations, officials and athletes/footballers being banned and their respective associations also punished if they fail to act within 14 days of an incident.

“In instances of misconduct, misbehaviour or conduct unbecoming, the Sports Council shall have power to fine the member who may include administrator, athletes and its supporters,” reads in part the proposal, which also proposes “invoking their constitution and the sections thereof that deal with the said breach in the event of failure to exercise option to discipline within 14 days”.

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has seen the proposals from the board meeting held in Salima on October 18 and 19 2013, which are expected to be enforced as policy once approved by government.

On Tuesday, council executive secretary George Jana said it was premature for him to comment on the board’s deliberations.

Of late, there has been an increase of violence and hooliganism, and deplorable behaviour of administrators and coaches who engage in verbal and physical fights at sports venues.

“The supporters are influenced by officials sitting on the bench shouting and indeed athletes who fight on the pitch. This [the coming up of the code] is a whole bunch of observations,” Jana noted.

The proposal further puts an equivalent of $300 for sports associations wishing to register with the council and that they must have a strategic corporate plan, business plan and two regional chapters across the country, each managing a minimum of five clubs.

It further suggests that associations seeking funding for foreign trips ought to apply for funding at least three months in advance and that national teams, across the board, must have uniform colours approved by the council.

“The council shall not fund any programme for which insurance has not been taken,” adds the report which mandates all national teams to seek insurance cover for all programmes sanctioned by the council covering players, officials and staff.

The council will also be demanding technical and financial reports after every national team foreign trip and authors of the reports concealing some details about such trips will be penalised.

According to the document, the council shall also decide on the allowance amounts for travelling teams and that associations that suggest more money, will have to top up from their coffers.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday said he was not aware of the plans to have a general code of conduct, but said his association has introduced one for players and coaches, especially when in camp.

The council’s code of conduct also concerns officials and fans. Nyamilandu said they would have no problems with the council’s code, “but I would only be worried where the Sports Council would be interfering”.