Players’ association formation takes shape
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says the formation of the Players Welfare Association (PWA) is a milestone to improve the livelihood of football players in the country.
FAM players welfare subcommitee chairperson Alfred Gunda said this on the sidelines of meetings that the association is having with stakeholders, including Fifa, on the formation of the body.
“The future looks promising. The formation of this committee will go a long way in improving players’ welfare, which in the past was not properly looked after.
“There have been situations where players have been dumped or rendered destitute because there were no mechanisms in place.
“FAM, therefore, thought it wise to form the players’ welfare body and the players’ welfare committee is there to initiate that drive,” he said.
Gunda said the players’ association will be a stand-alone body.
“Elsewhere, players have their own associations that cater for their welfare and that is the direction we want to take,” he said.
A taskforce has been formede to drive the formation of the association.
It comprises current players Jimmy Zakazaka, Fischer Kondowe, Joseph Kamwendo, Chiku Kanyenda and retired players Peter Mponda and Russel Mwafulirwa.
In a related development, Gunda, who was recently appointed FAM general secretary, yesterday officially assumed the post.
He replaces Suzgo Nyirenda who has since joined the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) as deputy chief executive officer.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu welcomed Gunda.
“I would like to assure him of our support as he takes up this challenging task of overseeing the adminstration of football nationwide.
“In the same manner, I would like to appeal to other stakeholders to give him the necessary support so that he excels in his task and serves football to the best of his ability,” he said.
Nyamilandu also expressed gratitude to Nyirenda for being outstanding during his five-year reign as FAM GS after replacing Charles Nyirenda n
