Covid-19 hits Fam
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has been dealt a big blow after the association’s media and competitions director Gomezgani Zakazaka tested positive for Covid-19.
The development comes few days after Zakazaka attended Fam’s executive committee meeting which was held at Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi District on January 9.
This has raised concerns in the football fraternity and Fam executive committee members, having been in close contact with Zakazaka.
Zakazaka said the test was done as part of the contact tracing protocol following a positive case in his household.
“As per guidance from health experts, I would like to advise all those outside my household, whom I had contact with, especially in the past seven days, to get tested and know their status.
“I would like to thank all health workers who are working tirelessly in caring for us all as we fight this pandemic,” he said.
Currently, Zakazaka was in a 10- day self-quarantine and was following all measures as advised by health experts.
Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda said all members that attended the association’s first executive meeting last week would undergo Covid-19 tests.
“Everybody knows the situation we are living in now. We have advised each other to undergo the test to keep us safe,” he said.
In a latest development, Fam Executive Member Chimango Munthali, who is the association’s chairperson for Covid-19 Special Taskforce, said so far 80 percent of executive members had undergone the test in accordance with national guidelines.
“So all those people that were in contact with Gomezgani [Zakazaka] have been referred to testing centres. As of now, we have 80 percent of executive members that underwent the test and we are in the process of finalising that everyone should get tested.
“The whole Fam secretariat will be tested to clear out any doubts because it is a public office meeting a lot of people. We are also disinfecting all the offices on Saturday. Starting from Monday, some people will work from home to decongest the offices until we are cleared. It is a difficult situation but there is no need to panic as we are in control,” he said.
