Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Ministry of Youth Development and Sports have warned Chipiku Central Region Football Association (CRFA) Chipiku League teams from indulging in acts of violence.
FAM executive member James Mwenda and the ministry’s principal secretary Sam Madula sounded the warning during the launch of the K7.5 million league held in Mchinji on Saturday where the take-home message was violent-free season.
“Last year, the league was characterised by hooliganism. We need to move away from that. Let us pay back Chipiku by maintaining a competitive, orderly and disciplined league,” said Mwenda.
Madula thanked Chipiku Stores for continued sponsorship and raising the league’s stakes from K6 million to K7.5 million.
He, however, advised that for the sponsorship to be safeguarded, there should be no violence.
“No company would want it’s brand to be associated with violence. Chipiku Stores have committed to developing sports. Let us behave at match venues.
“Regional leagues like this one are very important because they are a feeder to the Super League and national team,” said Madula.
The launch was spiced up with a trophy parade from the trading centre to Mchinji Stadium and a social football match between Mchinji Socials and Central Region Socials.
CRFA chairman Charles Kapichi warned that teams that will be involved in acts of violence will be punished severely.
Chipiku Stores administration manager Brown Nkangama said the sponsors were happy to be associated with the development of football in the country.
“Apart from the successes outlined by the league’s officials, we have also seen some positive developments in that we have managed to produce national team players. We aim at developing sports as part of the company’s social obligation,” said Nkangama.
During the official opening match, visiting Black Eagles showed no mercy to their hosts Mchinji Boma Stars, whom they clobbered 4-0. Felix Mgala, Mighty Mhango, Ishmael Manyowa and Chipiliro Chiwaya were the scorers.
In the curtain-raising match, Mchinji Socials crashed Central Region Socials 3-1. Former PS in the ministry Justin Saidi who now holds a similar position in the Defence Ministry, scored the lone goal for Central Region Socials.