Fleetwood Haiya promises to champion reforms
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) presidential aspirant Fleetwood Haiya has promised that he will champion reforms should he get elected.
Haiya disclosed this during the unveiling ceremony of his blue-print titled Revive, Reform and Rebrand at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Saturday ahead of Sulom’s polls slated for February 25 in Mangochi District.
Haiya is challenging incumbent Sulom president Tiya Somba- Banda.
In his manifesto, Haiya has focused on five pillars namely setting up professional and effective Sulom secretariat, serving clubs in their best interest, initiating and implementing Sulom Strategic Plan, realising the full potential of Malawi elite league through vibrant commercialisation and supporting Super League clubs to be professional and financially stable.
“This manifesto sets and revolves around a reformation agenda that will lift Malawi’s elite football league from its current substandard state to a more vibrant, attractive and professional league.
“Some of the pillars will require constitutional reforms and my leadership will champion the reforms,” Haiya said.
He said the absence of the secretariat affected the ability of Sulom executive committee to provide sound strategic direction.
Haiya said Sulom has for a long period been operating without a strategic plan.
According to Haiya, Sulom has no commercialisation strategy which has led the league to have no corporate brand.
“Without a corporate brand, Sulom cannot attract investors and commercial partners. It cannot engage on and establish viable business deals which can increase clubs’ revenue,” he said.
In addition, Haiya said his leadership, should he get elected, will increase annual subvention to Super League clubs to K7 million from K1 million.
All the 16 Super League clubs attended the launch.
Kamuzu Barracks General Secretary Christopher Njeula said the manifesto was well balanced.
“The manifesto is addressing all the gaps in domestic football. It has tackled key issues including governance,” Njeula said.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said it is high time administrators started implementing their manifestos.
“He has outlined a very rosy manifesto which can be achieved only with team-work,” he said.
Newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire and Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda were some of the high-profile officials who graced the ceremony.
Some Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Executive Committee members were also present. Musician Lulu spiced up the event with a live music performance.
