Ngwira challenges Chalira for women’s football top seat
Central Region Women’s Football League (CRWFL) chairperson Suzgo Ngwira has declared interest to challenge incumbent Severia Chalira for the National Women Football Association (NWFA) presidency during elections this Saturday in Mangochi.
Ngwira, who previously served as president between 2007 and 2011, has been nominated by Northern Region Women’s Football League and its Central Region counterpart while Chalira has been nominated by the Southern Region League.
In an interview yesterday, Ngwira said her passion in women’s football has driven her to contest.
“I have passion for women’s football as I was also a player at Chancellor College. I have also served as an executive member for Be Forward Wanderers.
“It’s sad that we don’t have sponsorship for women’s football apart from FAM and Fifa programmes. We used to have cups at regional and national levels. sponsored by the companies. I don’t think the corporate world and other organisations cannot help with good leadership in place,” she said.
On her part, Chalira said she has achieved a lot during five years in office, citing players who have secured professional deals abroad.
“Women’s football has been run without sponsorship for the past five years, but it has survived.
“During the period we have managed to produce professional players such as Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa, Vanessa Chikwapulo, Salome Vinkhumbo,” she said.
On the position of vice-chairperson, Anna Mseteka will face incumbent Catherine Chikandula while general secretary Lina Mtegha is set to go unopposed.
Incumbent vice-general secretary Caroline Phiri faces treasurer Winnie Nyondo and executive committee member Clara Luhanga is tipped to go in unopposed on the position of treasurer as she has no challenger.
Emma Chiwaya, Helene Chavula and Violet Bunya are the only nominees for the executive committee positions.
According to the amended Football Association of Malawi (FAM) constitution, NWFL chairperson becomes an automatic executive member of the association.
Fifa recommended that at least 20 percent of FAM executive members should consist of women.
