The council’s administration manager Henry Mereka said the PIS remained shelved during the 30-day mourning period, ending May 7, in honour of the competition’s architect, late president Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika.
“The rest of the sports activities can go ahead as long as they observe a minute’s silence before kickoff and also wear black arm bands in honour of the late president. We have done this on the understanding that continued delays might have some implications on sports calendars,” said Mereka.
Namisonga Boxing Promotions and the Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League (SRFL) were among sports bodies that sought the council’s clearance to proceed with their fixtures.
On Wednesday, Namisonga general secretary Joster Chisale confirmed getting clearance to host a non-title fight between their boxer Limbani Masamba and Malani Kayuni of Powerhouse Boxing Promotions this Sunday at Motel Paradise in Blantyre.
“Everything is set now and we ask families to come and witness the fight as the environment will be safe with tight security. Entry fee is K500. Mussa Ajibu will be the corner man,” said Chisale.
But the lifting of the ban on games came late for SRFL to arrange fixtures for this weekend, according to the league’s vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye.
“This is Thursday. It is too late to schedule games. We are still waiting for the council’s response to our letter [request],” said Simbeye whose chairperson Trouble Kalua wrote the council on Tuesday seeking to resume games from yesterday [Wednesday].
There are less than three weeks before the Super League starts; hence, newly promoted SRFL side would hardly have time to rest and prepare for the bigger challenges in the top tier league.
Last season, Cobbe Barracks also went straight to the Super League battle front unprepared after earning promotion from the SRFL.
