Some netball officials are ganging up to ensure that Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) affiliates put the interest of the sport first when the association goes to polls on August 23 at Riverside Hotel in Lilongwe.
Following reports that some former Nam executive members have been nominated, concerned netball members were teaming up to lobby affiliates to back the current executive committee.
Netball analyst Dalitso Chinyama could neither confirm nor deny the teaming up reports but said the current executive committee deserves a full term, having delivered within a year.
“Of course some of us are concerned with the conduct of a few misguided delegates who want to bring back officials who failed the association and the sport.
“In all fairness, the current committee has delivered beyond everyone’s expectations securing sponsorships for the Queens, junior teams and competitions from Nico Group, FDH Bank and Mukuru among others,” Chinyama said.
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She said the current administration was supposed to be given a full term having inherited the committee for a year after replacing the previous board which resigned due to pressure over governance issues.
“In an ideal situation the entire executive committee was supposed to remain in power for four years to ensure that they have fully implemented their projects. It is unfortunate that some do not want to continue,” Chinyama said in reference to reports that Nam Vice President Limbani Mtonyo and Vice General Secretary Charity Gondwe will seek re-election having helped in bridging the transition gap.
Chinyama said the current administration had problems too but were minor compared to the past.
“They are able to resolve differences maturely and soberly. Why should others return after being in association for eight years? What others failed to do in over 10 years, the current committee has done it within a year,” she said.
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Another official Ruth Kaipa said some officials were advancing their personal interests rather than of the sport or players.
“We need the committee to continue to implement all their plans. Currently, they need to remain in office to ensure the sponsorships are well managed. The delegates should know that they are into office to serve the sport and not benefit from it.
“Even those who want to come in must meet the requirements. They must have served the sport at some point too. We do not want anyone who cannot fit or destroy the sport,” she said.
Other officials Phallace Mkama and Jaqueline Kaoza shared the remarks.
Meanwhile, one of the delegates who did not want to be mentioned said they will not be moved with the concerns.
“Not everyone who served the sport in the past is bad. Much as we need fresh minds we cannot ignore experience as well. At this moment, no decision has been made because we need to see who has been nominated and gauge their manifestos,” the source said.
In the meantime, Nam General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma confirmed that the nomination window closed on Monday having opened on July 7.
“The elections committee will make an announcement after scrutinizing the nominations possibly later in the week,” she said.
