Athletics boss suspended for ‘impregnating’ athlete
General Secretary of the Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM)Frank Chitembeya has been suspended to pave way for further investigations into reports that he impregnated an athlete contrary to the rules governing the sport.
The suspension letter signed by AAM president Dr Richard Nyirongo made available to Nyasa Times reads:
“Following the initial investigation into the news paper story where accusations of engagement/involvement in an illicit affair and subsequent pregnancy of an Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) female athlete, it has unfortunately come to our notice/attention that you deliberately interfered with the investigation by conversing with the girl prior to the executive’s investigative interrogation of the athlete at her home in Zomba.”
Nyirongo said in the letter that “phone records show that you talked to the athlete before and after the executive’s visit to the girls home in Zomba—this is despite your and the girl’s claims of having no contact and even familiarity with each other.
“The length and frequency of cell phone conversations from TNM and Airtel records indicate the opposite of the said claims by the two of you. In fact, they go contrary to the written statement in which you claimed there is completely nothing between you and the girl and that these allegations were ‘just framed’.
“Your unfortunate actions not only demonstrate a lack of seriousness to resolve the issue but are also intended to impede AAM investigations which are only meant to establish the truth of the matter so that the Association’s image can be saved and protected from the story’s fallout. It is also hoped that at the end of the day the athlete’s welfare is protected and proper assistance rendered to minimize the damage to the person of the athlete and her baby.
“This circumstance therefore has necessitated further investigation into the matter for purposes as stated above. In order to pave way for an unimpeded investigative process and especially in response to your actions as stated above—I as president of AAM, and in exercise of my duty to protect the integrity of the AAM at all times, I write to inform you that you are forthwith suspended from exercising the duties of secretary general of the AAM for the period of the investigation.
“Once the investigation is completed a disciplinary hearing will be conducted during which your fate will be decided by the executive members of the association or a disciplinary panel as may be empowered by the executive members of AAM”, Nyirongo concludes.
He hit headlines in the scandal tabloid on allegations that he had an illicit relationship with promising sprint athlete Chikondi Mkhalea and he fathered a son, now two-years old.
Accoriding to Weekend Times, Mkhalea is now destitute and lives off her married elder sister in the shanty Likhubula location of Zomba. The 23- year-old athlete said after she got impregnated, Chitembeya took her in as a concubine but it did not work out.
The suspension comes a year after another suspension in which Chitembeya was accused of swindling money amounting to US$2,400.00 meant for athletes who attended African Championship in Kenya.
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