Malawi National Council of Sports has warned its member associations that they may not be considered for government funding if they do now hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

In a statement issued yesterday, signed by its spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa, council says it has noted with concern that some sports associations are not holding their AGMs “which is contrary to and a violation of their own constitutions”.

Reads the statement in part: “The Council wishes to inform all sports associations that in line with their own constitutions, each association affiliated to the council, must hold an AGM.

Former minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda (2ndL) captured during the launch of the guidelines

“Council therefore, wishes to advise all associations to submit confirmations that they have held an AGM in the past 12 months or  knew that what they asked the association to implement is not viable”.

He said: “They were just excxited and emotional. We knew that what they demanded from

the associations would not be enforced. They just wanted to give the public false hopes. Next time, they should be realistic genuine when coming up with such conditions if they are to take seriously.”

Another analyst Henry Gome said Sports Council should take a hard line on associations that have failed to implement the new guidelines during the given period.

He said: “This has come after the indaba in Lilongwe where sports associations were

equipped with the relevant skills for them to deliver based on the new guidelines. We took that as an opportunity for stakeholders to change the status quo.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that Sports Council is talking about engaging the associations again after they have failed to implement the new guidelines at the given period. We are seeing this as unnecessary lenience and lack of seriousness on the part of the Sports Council and this gives us a picture that we don’t want to develop.”

Another analyst Charles Nyirenda wondered if the guidelines were binding for enforcement considering the new soft stand that the council has taken.

He said: “If that is the case, then Sports Council can be faulted for not moving faster, but if lack of compliance has no legal consequence, then it’s once again one of those moments where declarations are made and action not taken afterwards to match the words.”

Part of the guidelines read: “[The guidelines seek to] assist national sport associations and other stakeholders to appreciate and understand standards and conduct that are respected and valued within the sport sector.

“To provide a deterrent against unacceptable behaviours and practices which may be detrimental to sport development and assist sports associations to embrace best practices in sport leadership.”

It also says for any sports association to be recognised by the council, they must have a constitution that is in line with and approved by it and with dictates of their respective international federations.

It also states that a president of an association should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree while a secretary should have a minimum of a diploma offered by an accredited academic institution of higher learning.

Under the guidelines, associations are also required to declare all sources of funding from within and outside Malawi.

As the deadline approaches, only few associations such as the Football Association of Malawi and Golf union of Malawi currently meet the set guidelines

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