Coaches’ body proposes high pay for police, MDF coaches

Tom Sangala February 21, 2020

641 1 minute read

National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has set tough conditions ahead of the new season which kicks off next month.

The coaches’ body held its executive committee meeting in Lilongwe early this week and agreed on a number of issues aimed at improving their welfare in the new season.

Among other things, the meeting observed that Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) exploit their coaches by not paying them an additional package on top of their pay as police officers or soldiers.

This comes after the association also introduced minimum salaries for all football coaches in the country. MPS and MDF pay their teams’ coaches based on their ranks. The two institutions are likely to find themselves in a tight spot should NFCA enforce the new recommendations.

NFCA General Secretary, Davie Mpima, said they would write the two security organs on the matter. “We are planning to write Malawi Police and MDF notifying them about our expectations. They should respect recommendations such as minimum salaries for the coaches.

“We are of the view that the two institutions do not put the welfare of their coaches as a priority. Coaching is a special talent; so we will lobby for the improved welfare of all police and MDF coaches,” Mpima said.

The meeting also agreed to introduce new licences for members with coaches who are not affiliated to NFCA being barred from coaching any team if they have the right qualifications.

Mpima said the resolution is aimed at ensuring that coaches speak with one voice on issues concerning their welfare.

“This is common practice in other countries. Every coach must get licenced by NFCA for him to be on the touchline. Without our licence, the coaches will not be allowed to coach any team,” he added.

Mpima said the association has also set up a taskforce aimed at helping the coaches in contract negotiations.

The coaches’ salaries will be categorised based on their qualifications with Caf A Licence holders getting a minimum monthly wage of K750,000. For Caf B holders, NFCA has proposed K500,000. Teams employing Caf C holders will part with a minimum of K300,000 per month. This is against government’s minimum wage of K35,000 per month.

MDF is the only institution that has multiple teams in all leagues across the country. These are Kamuzu Barracks (KB), Red Lions, Moyale Barracks and Mafco. Chairperson for the only MPS side in the TNM Super League, Blue Eagles, Alexander Ngwala, said his club would look at the recommendations.

“Let them bring the recommendations and we will play our part. We always do our best on the welfare of coaches. Apart from getting salaries as police officers, they also get game bonuses and signing-on fees,” Ngwala said.

KB General Secretary, Steve Kakuza, said he needed to consult before commenting on the matter.