Unqualified refs disappoint Massa in Zomba
The Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) has expressed disappointment over the use of unqualified referees in the ongoing Airtel Under-17 Rising Stars Tournament in Zomba.
The development follows the shunning of the games last weekend by Zomba referees due to what they described as low allowances.
Massa district organising committee is alleged to have been offering the referees K13 000 (about $32.50) for the tournament. The games are being played in boys and girls football categories among schools in the old capital.
In a telephone interview from Lilongwe on Monday, Massa general secretary Blackson Malamula said the development is tarnishing the image of the game and that of the sponsors.
“What we have learnt from Zomba about the use of unqualified referees is disappointing. Our aim is to promote the game among the students and their teachers some of whom are coaches as well as referees. So, the organising committee could have opted to use those teachers who are referees and are also government employees to officiate the games,” said Malamula.
He said as one way of developing its own cream, the association had already trained teachers who wanted to become referees and coaches.
“This is why you see some of the referees who are teachers such as Alfred Chasowa, Gresham Nkhoma, Innocent Kaundula, and Jones Makhuwira, among others in our education divisions.
“Recently, we also held ‘C’ licence coaching clinic in Mchinji and we are also expected to hold the other one between September and October this year,” he said.
