By Bernard Mhone:
Thousands of people paid homage to Football Association of Malawi (Fam) former second vice president Othaniel Hara, who died in a road accident on Saturday evening at Edundu in Mzimba District.
Hara’s remains were laid to rest in Dunduzule Village, Baula, in the area of Traditional Authority Mtwalo in the same district Tuesday.
People from all walks of life attended the funeral ceremony.
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Notable faces included former State vice president Khumbo Kachali, Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire— who has represented President Lazarus Chakwera—Super League of Malawi and Northern Region Football Association officials.
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In his eulogy, Fam Second Vice President Lameck Zetu Khonje, who represented the association’s president Fleetwood Haiya, said Hara played a pivotal role in the growth of football in the country, such that he had left a legacy.
“The loss of Hara is a shock to the football fraternity because we planned to launch Luwinga Technical Development Centre in Mzuzu, which he championed in December.
“We planned that all the people who tirelessly lobbied for the initiation of the project had to be invited and witness the opening of the facility,” Khonje said.
Khonje said he had represented Haiya as he was attending a Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare meeting at Mpira Village, Chiwembe Township, in Blantyre.
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Immediate past- Fam president Walter Nyamilandu Manda concurred with Khonje, describing Hara as a true patriot who professionally advised Fam’s leaders through various sub-committees he chaired.
“We will not forget his contribution to football development in the country. He was fearless and a good adviser because he always stood for justice for the betterment of football. We have lost a leader,” Nyamilandu said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Sangwani Hara said Hara lived a life of accommodating everyone in the society.
“Before he died, the late Hara organised a football bonanza here in Baula on Thursday and Friday as part of the crusade and cultural festival but, on his way, he met his fate. The accident happened after he escorted Inkosi Mtwalo to his residence. It is tough and painful to believe that we have lost our pillar,” Sangwani said.
Hara served at the country’s football governing body for 12 years as second vice president and executive member.
Among other roles, he chaired Fam’s referee sub-committee, finance sub-committee and technical subcommittee.
He was born on January 21 1968.
Hara is survived by a wife and two sons, namely Chatonda and Othaniel Junior.
