‘Fouling from behind’: Introducing sports column on Nyasa Times

Welcome dear Nyasa Times readers to the first edition of this new weekly column, ‘Fouling from Behind’. The column will mainly be tackling sports issues as they unfold and there will be no fear or favour of any kind in the presentation of issues. Greedy sports administrators better take cover because this column will spare nobody. Without wasting readers’ precious time, let’s go straight to serious business.

Arrest Fama’s Majekete and crew

It has been reported in the daily local newspapers that Fellowship Association of Malawi (Fama) has been failing to pay Fama trophy finalists Blue Eagles and Bullets FC money amounting to about K4
million. The body owes Blue Eagles K3 million and Bullets K800,000.

When I first read the story about the organization failing to remit funds, I was not surprised at all, knowing the calibre of Japhet Majekete, who is the man behind the whole show. Majekete also claims to be the spokesperson of the spiritual organization.

I have known Majekete as a mere Silver Strikers FC supporter and sometimes, the man has been seen on entry gates helping in cash collection during games.

When I heard about Fama intending to host a K12 million tournament, I said to myself, where on earth Majekete would get such a huge amount of money. Little did the teams involved knew the bloke was trying to fundraise using names of big teams like Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.

Last year, he successfully did it by involving Wanderers, Bullets, Silver and Civo in a mini tournament. But this year, Silver Strikers refused to take part in the tournament, knowing well the gentleman
behind the show. That was the first blow Majekete suffered.

Later, the final between Blue Eagles and Bullets had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour due to the death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika. The final was played at a later date but to date Majekete and company have not paid the teams their dues.

Now he says his organization has dropped plans to send Blue Eagles to Zimbabwe because the team’s officials threatened to arrest him and company. This is just a scapegoat and I urge Cops to o arrest and prosecute Majekete and company.

Of FAM and ‘match fixing’

Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) commercial or public relations manager- whatever they call him-  has been in the news, claiming the association sent out a wrong fixture for the Presidential Cup semi finals to media houses and the involved teams.

Some media houses have believed his story by reporting that FAM sent out a wrong fixture.

My take on this issue is that there is no question of a wrong fixture. There is a common practice at FAM  secretariat to tamper with cup fixtures to suit demands of Bullets and Wanderers. Has anybody ever wondered why Bullets and Wanderers always or in most occasions play their cup games at Kamuzu Stadium? These are part of the dirty dealings at the FAM .

Last year, a draw for the Presidential Cup had to be re-done after teams from Lilongwe cried foul. Civo and Silver Strikers were paired against each other and the winner was supposed to meet Blue Eagles.

Coming to this year’ scenario, it was already known that Red Lions would meet Escom with Moyale facing Bullets if the teams made it to the semi finals. Even coaches for the teams have been talking about the semi final pairs and FAM never came in with the said “correction” until the very eleventh hour.

Unless Casper  Jangale tells us that the draw was conducted in Walter Nyamilandu’s bedroom, what these people from FAM are telling the nation does not hold water.

It is high time Sports Council start checking the conduct of its affiliates otherwise the body will be rendered useless. Sports journalists too must stop being lenient towards these officials who
are spoiling our game. Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) or Fiscal Police wake up!

Feed back: [email protected]

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