New Moc president unveils vision
Newly elected Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) president Jappie Mhango has unveiled part of his agenda that focuses on enhancing athletes performances so that more qualify for Olympic Games.
The organisation’s former general secretary was speaking after being confirmed yesterday during the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mangochi.
He rose to the position unopposed after his predecessor Oscar Kanjala withdrew from the race.
Ahead of the elections, Minister of Health and Population, received 12 nominations, the highest of all the aspirants.Mhango, who is also the
“I thank you for the trust you have in me. I am not promising you the moon. I am not promising you miracles,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Malawi athletes have, for ages, been failing to qualify for the Olympic Games and most of the times attend on solidarity based.
“I want us to start qualifying on performance based. This can be achieved if we work together with all sports associations,” he said.
Mhango said he will also focus on bridging the gap with MOC affiliated associations.
“I think the working relationship with sports associations has not been strong. We can improve that so that we are more organised in pushing the sports development agenda,” he said.
Mhango said during his tenure agenda will be generated through consultations with its affiliates.
“MOC uses a strategic plan which is a consolidation of views from various sports organisations. It is through consultations that we can come up with a comprehensive sports development agenda,” he said.
The prevailing four year-plan, which focused on improving sports marketing and strengthening governance structures, will expire this year.
Mhango said he expects the new one to be formulated within the year.
During the AGM, Flora Mwandira retained the vice presidency, Football Association of Malawi technical director John Kaputa became the secretary general and Frank Chitembeya is the vice-president.
Treasurer Henry Sakala retained his treasurer’s office. All the top positions were won unopposed after some aspirants’ nominations were disqualified for being unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, Andrew Mkwezalamba and Ousborne Banda were elected as executive committee members, beating off competitors from four candidates.
Kenneth Dzekedzeke was chosen as athletes representative after defeating former swimmer Yona Walesi.
Malawi National Council of Sports acting executive secretary Henry Mereka said they were looking towards maintaining strong working relationship with the new leadership.
“We believe in coordinated efforts when it comes to improving sports in the country. MOC has always been a trusted partner and will remain as such.
“We just hope we can pull resources together and come up with an effective sports agenda,” he said.
Kanjala said he was proud that under his 10-year leadership, he managed to introduce a number of programmes aimed at promoting sports in the country.
Among others, he said during his tenure he championed the training of officials in marketing and administration.
Kanjala also said technical personnel such as coaches and referees also benefited from the trainings he initiated. He urged the new leadership to foster unity within the sports.
