Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has a new executive committee which was ushered in on Saturday at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi where Walter Nyamilandu-Manda was overwhelmingly re-elected president.
Nyamilandu saw-off challenge from Wilkins Mijiga and Willy Yabwanya Phiri by amassing 27 votes. Mijiga and Yabwanya got seven and two votes respectively.
The position of first vice-president went to James Mwenda who beat Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda by 26 votes against 10.
O’thaniel Hara is the new second-vice president having seen off Pikawo Ngalamila’s challenge. Hara got 22 votes against Ngalamila’s 16.
Jabbar Alide, Alfred Gunda, Rashid Ntelera and Daud Nthanthiko were elected executive committee members whereas Flora Mwandira, Hubert Mfune and Masauko Medi failed to make it.
The new executive, which will also have Super League of Malawi (Sulom) chairperson Innocent Bottoman and National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Severia Chalira as co-opted executive members, will serve until 2019.
Nyamilandu called on the contestants and affiliates to unite and work together for the good of the game.
“Let me extend my sincere gratitude to all of you for the support rendered to me in the just ended term of office. The tremendous strides that have been made to develop the game of football at grass roots level and to restore the image of the beautiful game are largely due to team work and goodwill from sponsors.
“Having come this far, my desire to stand for another term of office is based on the need for continuity to enable me complete some of the unfinished business with the view to leaving the game of football not only in a good state but also in safe hands.
“We have come from a far and it wasn’t easy. Together, we have weathered the storm and today Malawi football at a good place.
“I would like to assure you that I will not let you down and I shall fulfil all my promises,” said Nyamilandu.
However, the polls nearly failed to take place after some aspirants obtained a High Court injunction restraining the association from holding elections.
But later on, FAM managed to vacate the injunction after judge Kenyatta Nyirenda observed that the appelants did not exhaust all the legal organs provided by Fifa Statutes.