By Mabvuto Kambuwe & Bernard Mhone:
It is now official. Super League of Malawi (Sulom) President Fleetwood Haiya has declared his interest in contesting for the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) presidency ahead of the association’s polls slated for December 16 in Mzuzu.
His declaration comes just a day after Beach Soccer Association (BSA) and National Referees Association nominated him for the position.
Haiya, who got his third nomination yesterday after Northern Region Football Association also settled for him, becomes the first person to publicly declare his interest in the Fam presidency.
In his unveiling speech, Haiya said his desire to contest was driven by vision and commitment to transform football to greater heights.
“The decision to contest and [take] this huge responsibility has not been an easy one. But having carefully examined all relevant factors, I have accepted a call from affiliates and Malawians of goodwill to serve as their Fam President with a desire to offer our beloved game a renewed hope, vision and purpose. I seek to bring dedicated, transparent, inclusive, competent and people-centred leadership to develop, sustain and safeguard the future of our game,” Haiya said.
Haiya is expected to unveil his manifesto in the next few days.
He also appealed to the football fraternity to avoid publicising hate speeches during the campaign period.
“My strong appeal is that let us maintain our unity of purpose, decency and respect for each other and the game for our football to develop. Together, we can choose a new path, Together, we can set a bold agenda, Together, we can re-orient and transform our beautiful game,’’ he said.
Incumbent Fam President Walter Nyamilandu is yet to come out in the open.
However, Nyamilandu told our sister paper, Malawi News, that he would make an announcement during the nomination window.
“I will make my position very clear during this window of nominations so that there is no doubt in the minds of the members,” he was quoted as saying.
Apart from Haiya, Fam Executive Committee Member Madalitso Kuyera has also been nominated for the position of first vice president whereas Patrick Kapanga, Chimango Munthali and Fellister Dossi have been nominated as committee members.
The nomination process opened on November 1 and will close on November 15.
The Fam electoral body is expected to announce the list of the nominated candidates on November 21.
