Athletics Malawi losing camp says elections fixed
Losing camp in Malawi Athletics Elections held on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe has accused Malawi National Council of Sports of favouring the winning team.
During the elections, journalist and environment activist Kondwani Chamwala was elected president after defeating the association’s long serving general secretary Frank Chitembeya.
Former athlete Denis Phiri, who is Kamuzu Academy teacher, beat his fellow retired athlete Francis Munthali on the position of first vice-president.
Malawi University of Science and Technology lecturer Ivy Kondowe Chinangwa elected second-vice president following her triumph over Bertha Nyangulu.
Veteran administrator Mzee Makawa lost to former short distance runner Nicholas Kanyenda on the position of general secretary while Charles Senti Banda beat Ken Phiri to take up the position of vice-general secretary and Adron Msowoya was elected treasurer against Drake Chithambo.
But one of the losing candidates, who opted for anonymity alleged that they have evidence that the winning camp was sponsored.
He said: “They created bogus clubs who voted while we had genuine clubs who normally come for competitions. This is sad, considering that even World Athletics representatives who presided over the elections, were fed with lies and decided to believe what they said.
“How can Malawi have over athletics clubs yet during competitions it is normally less 10 clubs which send athletes to compete?”
The losing candidate also claims that, among others, the newly elected committee used Malawi National Council of Sports bus and after winning they were treated to a party.
On his part, Chitembeya also said he suspects foul play because of government interference. But said for the good of the sport, they would not take any action.
“There was no fairplay in the way the elections were run. It was clear that government, through Sports Council were for certain candidates. We wish them well and hope that they will take athletics to greater heights,”’ he said.
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