After trying her luck for the third time in a row to get the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) presidency, Khungekile Matiya finally got the hot seat yesterday during an elective assembly at Sunbird Nkopola.
The out-going Southern Region Netball League (SRNL) chairperson amassed 37 votes against Hellene MpinganjiraTasosa’s nine.
Matiya has replaced Rosy Chinunda, who did not defend the presidency after serving for three consecutive four-year terms.
In her acceptance speech, Matiya said she would revamp the under-21 national team.
“Being a feeder to the Malawi Queens, the under-21 team deserves a stable corporate sponsorship and I will try my best to secure a sponsor for them,” she said.
Matiya added that her committee will establish regional and district leagues and enhance channels of communication While accepting defeat and congratulating the new president, Mpinganjira-Tasosa advised NAM to ensure there is a special arrangement for the transportation of delegates to elections.
“With the current system, whereby everybody arranges own transportation, it is easy for candidates to bribe the voters along the way. Nevertheless, I congratulate Matiya for her victory,” she said.
Chimwemwe Kachingwe and Carol Bapu were re-elected as vicepresident and general secretary, respectively.
Kachingwe outsmarted former Malawi Queens’ skipper Judith Chalusa 37-9 while Bapu amassed 38 ballots against renowned umpire Faggie Mwalweni’s eight.
Brian Gausi has retained the post of vice-general secretary following an overwhelming triumph over former Malawi Queens shooter Linda MagomboMunthali and Daniel Nyirenda.
He got 37 votes while MagomboMunthali and Nyirenda had eight and one, in that order.
Jane Kachali-Saidi, who was vice-treasurer, has been elevated as she collected 38 ballots against Charity Malango’s eight in battle for the treasurer post.
The vice-treasurer post went to Agnes Chaima, who beat Tamara Fweta by 10 votes as she collected 38 ballots.
During the verification of the votes, it transpired that Matiya had one more vote on her card for presidency than initially announced while Kachali-Saidi had one less on the treasurer sheet.
Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) administration manager Henry Mereka, who was the returning officer, described the elections as free and fair.
