Jacks of too many trades
It might not be constitutionally wrong, but questions have emerged on why some sports administrators hold too many sports portfolios—including in different sports disciplines.
Malawi News has established that some officials, for example, hold positions in boxing, netball and football at once—on the pretext of passion and multi-tasking.
Experts fear that there are other motivations behind such multiple allegiances, and sports lose out as some disciplines require dedicated and hard-working individuals.
Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS), Executive Secretary, George Jana, said the council was reviewing some policies to control such malpractices.
“Common sense would tell somebody not to be holding too many portfolios because there is bound to be a compromise in terms of discharge of responsibilities. We all have 24 hours in a day and it can’t be easy to do our work professionally because it is the sport that suffers,” Jana explained.
“We all have a particular sport that we love but we can’t love more than three sporting disciplines and be an expert in administering all the disciplines.”
Apparently, Malawi sport lacks focused and visionary administrators.
Although the Malawi Sports Act is silent on the holding of multiple positions, some sports experts argue that sports reforms are needed to restrict the practice.
The Act only restricts active politicians from holding football-related positions.
And some people, who have lost elections, just to fit into round holes of various sports associations, end up forming new associations to preserve their supremacy and still remain in the sports system.
For instance, when Haxon Chapasa lost his position at Malawi Olympic Committee (Moc) and Athletics Association of Malawi, he formed Malawi Wushu Federation, but unfortunately the federation died a natural death.
Examples abound people who hold various portfolios. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jappie Mhango, tops the list of such sports individuals.
Mhango is the General Secretary of Moc and Volleyball Association of Malawi (Vam) President.
Mhango is also Zone V1 Volleyball Commission Treasurer and member of Sports Organising Commission of African volleyball.
“It’s all to do with time management and nothing more. I plan well, if I am busy I delegate some of the tasks,” said Mhango, who is also Member of Parliament for Rumphi North Constituency.
Another notable sports administrator, John Kaputa, who is Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Technical Director, also holds the post of Vice-General Secretary of Moc, and President of Judo Federation of Malawi.
Central Region Football Association (CRFA) Treasurer, Piu Likagwa, is also combines as Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) Vice-Chairperson.
However, Likagwa said he sees nothing wrong to double as a boxing and football administrator.
“It’s not a big problem. I have vast experience to manage such tasks. I don’t perceive it as greed but some of us dedicate our time and resources to assist several sporting disciplines,” Likagwa said.
James Mwenda, who is Football Association of Malawi (Fam) First Vice-President, is also the Chairperson of Malawi Anti-doping Organisation (Mado).
Others include, Henry Sakala, Moc Treasurer, who is also Archery Association of Malawi President deputised by Charles Kapichi, who also holds a position as CRFA Vice- Chairperson.
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