Barely three days after a group calling itself Concerned Sports Enthusiasts in Lilongwe asked Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Walter Nyamilandu not to contest again in this year’s December 16 polls, another group staged demonstrations in Mzuzu Wednesday to support the call.
The group, calling itself Concerned Citizens in Mzuzu, was led by an organisation called Young Human Rights Defenders Network.
The demonstrations started with a sizeable crowd, which marched from Katoto Secondary School ground to M’mbelwa District Council offices, where the group delivered a 10-point petition.
One of the demands in the petition was that Nyamilandu must resign by November 30 and hand over power to his first vice Jabbar Allide.
The group accused Nyamilandu of sidelining the Northern Region in sports infrastructure development, citing the case of Luwinga Technical Development Centre, which is yet to be completed.
It further demanded that the Malawi Electoral Commission should oversee the election process.
Speaking during presentation of the petition, the group’s co-chairperson Mervin Nxumayo said Fam needs fresh blood.
“Mr Nyamilandu has served for about 20 years and we want someone to take over from him. We do not expect to see him contesting again in December despite the fact that he has every right to stand again in accordance with Fam statutes.
“We are calling upon him to excuse himself from the polls so that our game continues to hold him in high esteem as one of its legends. He should pave the way for others to come forward and contest. He is not the life president of Fam,” Nxumayo said.
Mzimba North District Social Welfare Officer Lickson Ng’ambi received the petition on behalf of the district commissioner, who is based at Mzimba Boma.
Ng’ambi assured the demonstrators that he would deliver the petition to relevant authorities.
The demonstrators braved hot weather conditions in the Northern City and marched with placards depicting messages against Nyamilandu’s continued stay at Fam.
Other messages warned Fam affiliates against voting for Nyamilandu should he insist on standing again.
