Retired Kapanga re-elected chair of Malawi’s National Referees body
Malawi’s retired referee, Patrick Kapanga, was over the weekend re-elected Chairperson of the National Referees Committee after flooring two other contestants.
Kapanga, now a referees’ instructor, defended his position after beating another of Malawi’s elite referees Moffat Champiti, with 28 votes and 11 for the physical fitness instructor while Martha Nyekanyeka got a single vote.
Northern Region based former primary school teacher Alex Mbale was voted vice chairman beating Wright Mkwamba and Billy Yaluma with 15, 13 and 12 votes respectively.
Chris Kalichelo also retained his position of General Secretary after he scooped 23 votes in a two-horse race against Duncan Lengani’s 17. Lusungu Zowawa Mtumbula was voted vice secretary with having amassed 26 votes against his sole challenger Dishon Phiri who had 14.
The referees’ membership also trusted the following whistlers Beard Winga (8 votes), Fanny Minandi (8), Joseph Nyirongo (6), Chuchu Gondwe (6) and Noel Kalande (5) to serve as committee members.
Lilongwe-based Grade one Referee Simon Jovinala and the country’s sole female referees’ instructor Ellah Banda flopped after accumulating just for and three votes respectively.
The elections, which took place at Baptist College Campus in Lilongwe, during the body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), were presided over by James Mwenda, FAM Executive Member as well as Referees sub-Committee Chairperson.
According to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Vice President, Pikawo Ngalamira, who was also in attendance the elections were declared free and fair by the presiding officer.
Also in attendance during the polls were Paul Mzungu, FAM Executive Member, Bester Kalombo former Confederations of African Football (CAF) Referees Director, among several retired referees.
