Chimango Munthali linked to Sulom presidency

With seven months before the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) goes to the polls, FAM executive committee member Chimango Munthali’s name has emerged as the first to be linked with the presidency.

The position is currently held by Gilbert Mittawa, who a fortnight ago announced that he will not seek another term.

Munthali confirmed his interest in an interview yesterday, becoming the first one to publicly express his interest.

But while confirming his interest, the FAM official said he is still consulting .

He said: “Yes, I have been engaged by a number of strategic football stakeholders on the Sulom leadership issue, but I’m taking my time to reflect because leadership isn’t a sprint, but a marathon. It requires a clear vision, purpose and the drive to see it through.

“There is still some way to go and I will come out with a clear position in due course.”

Chitipa United general secretary Watson Kabaghe said they have heard about Munthali’s interest and they will wait to hear his plans.

He said: “Yesterday morning [Thursday], the issue was on one of the local radios that he wants to stand for Sulom presidency.

“Neither has has he reached out to us nor come out publicly to declare his interest. Suffice to say if he is indeed interested, it will depend on the contents of his manifesto. Of course, he has been in the game for some time, having headed the youth committee at some point and now he is in the FAM ex-co.

“But then, Sulom is a different entity. So, let’s see how he will sell himself, assuming that he is indeed standing.”

Masters FC board chairperson Christopher Njeula said: “Generally, he hasn’t approached us on his intention to contest in that role. However, he is someone who has vast knowledge in the management of the local game.

“He has hugely shown great passion, enthusiasm and deligence in the development of the game at various levels.

“If approached, as a team, we may look at him as among the best possible candidates to run the affairs of the league, especially now that the incumbent has indicated that he will not contest.”

Football abalyst George Chiusiwa said: “The news may be an exciting development to the country’s football as Chimango Munthali has already demonstrated that he is a meaningfully forward-looking, transformative and reformist leader in the game.

“His drive and commitment towards collective and participatory football governance is what Malawi’s elite game needs and our football ecosystem needs such progressive leadership.

“Munthali’s passionate football development focus, that he has shown through his work at FAM and his other innovative development projects in the game as well as his extensive experience in national football administration, may be key to steering Sulom to a new direction that champions reforms and football renewal at the elite level.

“We hope that his transformative and visionary approach may be key to transforming Sulom where football clubs will be genuinely empowered and own the governance architecture of the league running body.”

He said clubs in the league have always been crying out for an institutional setup “that respects, champions, safeguards and promotes their interests and aspirations for the advancement of the sport in all spheres”.

Chiusiwa said the reforms can only be attained with transformative leadership.

“We anticipate that more of such well-meaning aspirants will come out openly to salvage the bright future of Malawi football,” he said.

Another football analyst Twaha Chimuka said Munthali has the potential to add value.

He said: “He is one of the best sports administrators and football is lucky to be where he is spending much of his effort.

“Munthali has all the absolute essentials of a football administrator–experience, passion and vision.

“We have seen how he has been performing in various roles within the football structure starting from the National Youth Football Association, where he was the chairperson and then in different Football Association of Malawi committees where he has always been hailed for his outstanding performances.

“One perfect sign is the Mpira M’mudzi Mwathu project which is currently the best youth set up system in the country, So, it is true that he wants to contest for the post of Sulom president, then it is good for our football.”

The top-flight league governing body is expected to have an elective congress next February where a new leadership will be ushered into office.

At its previous annual general meeting held earlier this year, delegates proposed some amendments to the constitution to, among others, abolish the positions of general secretary, vice-general secretary and treasurer currently occupied by Williams Banda, Donnex Chilonga and Ali Mwachande, respectively.

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