Confederation of African Athletics Southern Region (CAA-SR) has stopped Athletics Malawi (AM) from making public comments until its leadership wrangles are resolved.
This follows comments which AM General Secretary Frank Chitembeya made in the October 3 2023 edition of The Nation newspaper.
The paper quoted Chitembeya as saying: “The government will bear costs of the elections and accommodation of the delegates while World Athletics will cover traveling costs for the team.”
This was after the World Athletics delegation, led by CAA-SR President Zakhele Dlamini, met Youth and Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire and other stakeholders at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday to resolve the impulse between AM and Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS).
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However, in a letter dated October 3 2023 which Times Sport has seen, CAA-SR faulted Chitembeya for his sentiments.
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“I have noted with great concern a comment attributed to the General Secretary Mr. Frank Chitembeya which appeared in one of your newspapers (The Nation) Vol 30 No: 197 of Tuesday the 3rd of October 2023.
“We are not aware of such arrangements and we do not know where and how did the said Mr. Chitembeya enter into such an agreement with the aforementioned organisations without our knowledge. Such public statements may not sit well with some of our stakeholders and in the process jeopardise our efforts to resolve the Athletics Malawi leadership wrangle,” part of the letter, which has been signed by CAA-SR President Zakhele Dlamini, reads.
Dlamini further advised AM leadership to refrain from issuing public statements.
“In view of the above, the Executive Committee of Athletics Malawi is instructed to desist from making any public statements regarding athletics in Malawi pending finalisation of the leadership turmoil. Your cooperation and understanding is appreciated in advance,” the letter concludes.
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As we went to press, Chitembeya was yet to respond to our questionnaire.
AM and MNCS have been at loggerheads for several years over governance issues.
At the peak of the wrangle, MNCS dissolved the country’s athletics governing body over several issues including failure to hold an elective annual general meeting and handpicking committees to vote.
