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| Sports |
| Fam defends itself on Flames massacre in Tunis |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 30 March 2005
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15:35:31
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Fam president Walter Nyamilandu on Tuesday vehemently defended his association’s role in the run up to the Flames 7-0 debacle at the hands of Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.
Analysts and the team’s captain Peter Mponda have put the loss on poor preparations, fatigue and failure to motivate the players who left the country without allowances and were made to skip breakfast before their 1PM flight from Lilongwe. Some had to take roadside food before departure.
But Nyamilandu yesterday insisted that the national team is government’s responsibility. He argued that Fam did its part by buying training equipment and paying players’ allowances for the first two weeks of camp.
Nyamilandu has since called for an emergency committee meeting to decide on the way forward.
“There are very serious problems that need to be addressed such as funding and preparations for the remaining games and as president I cannot make an unilateral decision,” said Nyamilandu.
The Flames need about K20 million ($185,185) to fulfil their remaining four games against Morocco, Botswana, Kenya and Guinea but government has made it crystal clear that it has no money for the cause.
“We have to distinguish between mere participation and competing to win. Now if government says it has no money what will be the use for further participation, those are some of the issues that we will be looking at,” said Nyamilandu.
The Fam president also said the meeting will also discuss ways of sustaining the Flames.
Nyamilandu further said the association is still waiting for reports from leader of delegation and the head coach on what exactly happened in Tunisia that led to the massacre.
Fam second veep responsible for technical issues Steve Msambira also said the technical committee will meet on the way forward and make recommendations to the executive.
“We are also just waiting for the reports and from there we will meet and discuss issues like whether it is necessary for the team to continue participating in the tournament when government insists that it has no money.
“What is the use for the team to continue participation when there is nothing that we are fighting for?” wondered Msambira.
The Flames were expected back home from their disastrous foray on Wednesday.
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