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| Sports |
| Malawi Government finally pays sports fine |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 14 April 2005
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14:41:00
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At long last. Government has finally paid the K6 million fine to the Zone VI Council of Ministers which threatened Malawi’s participation in regional showcases like the Zone VI Golf tournament, Cosafa Castle Cup, Cosana netball competition and the Athletics Junior and Senior Championships.
Malawi was slapped with a K10 million fine by the Council for failing to stage the inaugural Sadc Games three years ago and was banned from participation in any regional tournament until the K6 million ($53,571) balance was settled having paid only K4 million.
Sports Minister Henry Chimunthu Banda said the balance was paid last week.
“Government has paid the K6 million balance and associations can now be rest assured that they will not be barred from regional tournaments,” said Chimunthu Banda, sounding relieved.
However, the minister said government is yet to pay K1.3 million as this year’s affiliation fees to the Council as well as K7.8 million as arrears for membership to the Supreme Council of Sports in Africa.
“We are now working on the annual subscription and we have already started the process of paying and hopefully by May (next month), everything should be in order,” assured the minister.
The K6 million balance has been paid at a time when there was a cloud of uncertainty regarding the national golf team’s participation in the Zone VI tournament which will be played in Sun City South Africa next week.
Fam and the Netball Association of Malawi were also warned in advance that they might be barred from participating in Cosafa Castle Cup and Under-21 Cosana netball tournaments should the balance of the fine not be paid.
The good news has caused a buzz of excitement among the sports fraternity.
Malawi Golf Union (MGU) president Mike Hubbe described the news as very pleasant coming at a time when the national team is preparing for the regional showpiece.
“There was an invitation but we were not sure about our participation considering the fine that was there but we will now be looking forward to the tournament with a peace of mind,” said Hubbe.
Fam president Walter Nyamilandu said: “It is very good news, it shows how serious and committed government is towards developing sports in the country.
“We applaud the effort taken by the minister to sort out issues that are not related to his shortfalls,” said Nyamilandu.
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) general secretary Haxon Chapasa described the development as “the good news of the year.”
“Considering what we went through last year when our athletes had to be sent back from Mozambique, it comes as a huge relief and we applaud government for that,” said Chapasa.
He said the AAM was in doubt regarding participation in the Regional Youth Championship to be held in South Africa in June as well as the Regional Senior Championship to be held in Zimbabwe in July.
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