Government Caught Meddling Into Athletics Association

Government through Malawi National Sports Council (MNSC) is interfering in the running of the Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) posing threats of a possible ban of all World Athletics Federation sanctioned activities reports have shown.

For instance a statement issued on Tuesday by MNCS reminded the general public and the sports fraternity that it dissolved the AAM stand-in Executive Committee which was chaired by Godfrey Phiri and appointed a new care taker committee which is currently being chaired by His Lordship Justice Sylvester Kalembera JA, SC.

In the statement the Council expressed shock that the dissolved committee has set 26th February, 2023 as a date for the elective assembly in Mzuzu and that the Confederation of African Athletics body (CAA) has invited the dissolved committee members to attend the CAA regional elections in South Africa on 20th January, 2023.

“The public may wish to know that the caretaker committee is finalizing its task and will soon call for an elective general assembly of the AAM, the former stand-in Executive Committee was dissolved following its failure to conclusively finalize amendments to the constitution and hold elections according to the time frame they were given by the Council,” reads part of the statement.

The Council further stated that it will not bless the 26th February 2023 elections called by the dissolved stand in executive committee nor members attending the CAA regional elections to be held in South Africa slated for 20th January, 2203 adding that their attendance will be done in their personal capacity and not representing the AAM.

On the Councils request for the dissolved stand in executive committee to stop operating as AAM It’s General Secretary, Frank Chitembeya cautioned MNSC against serious consequences that may follow and gravely affect every athlete in the country.

“Those individuals twisting matters in the name of the Sports Council better stop what they are doing because there are serious consequences that may follow leading to no athlete in the country taking part in any World Athletics Federation sanctioned competition,” Chitembeya said.

In defiance to the decree Chitembeya reminded all the athletes in the country of the program to do with the 21st January 2023 elective Annual General Meeting in Mzuzu which he said still remains intact against the MNSC’s call threatening registered member associations to stay away from it.