New AAM president to amend constitution

Newly-elected AAM president Godfrey Phiri has said he is ready to take up the challenge to amend the association’s constitution and abide by it as asked by it.

In his acceptance speech on Saturday, Phiri said they would amend the constitution within the scheduled time and, work hard to generate own funds through fundraising activities.

“We have a big job to do,” said Phiri, who got 48 votes against out-going Dr Richard Nyirongo’s 43.

“I ask everybody in this hall to contribute to the improvement of the sport in the country. Elections should not create enemity among us,” said Phiri.

Speaking after the elections that ushered in Phiri, Sports Council executive secretary George Jana gave him and his team 90 days to amend the association’s constitution and urged them to abide by it thereafter.

“There are many flaws in the AAM constitution which need to be rectified. The outgoing committee was using two constitutions for convenience for the past four years and we thought they were going to make the changes, but they did not.

“Now, make sure that in 90 days there is one constitution agreeable and approved, failure of which the executive will be moved out using the powers conferred upon the council,” said Jana.

He advised the AAM to work hard on generating own income rather than relying on government funding.

“Times are now extremely hard. If you have noticed, Sports Council’s budget is being reduced by at least K50 million (about $167 000) each year because government has a lot of priorities,” said Jana.

While wishing Phiri all the best, Dr Nyirongo said he would be available for assistance and urged the new president to make sure their activities are decentralised so that regional committees should be able to contribute to the development of the sport.

During the elections, general secretary Frank Chitembeya was the only one who retained his seat. Senti Banda is the new vice-president while Major Ken Tembo is the treasurer. Ireen Luka is the vice-general secretary.

They observed a minute of silence in honour of FAM president Walter Nyamilandu’s wife who died in a road accident earlier in the day.