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| Sports |
| Council jumped the gun |
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by
Leonard Sharra, 02 December 2006
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03:12:44
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Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Jaffalie Mussa on Thursday said Sports Council jumped the gun when it called off Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) elections in Blantyre on the basis of a requirement that officials holding top positions in the country’s sports associations must posses a diploma as a minimum educational qualification.
Mussa said in an interview from Rumphi that his office has not endorsed any educational requirement for people aspiring for positions in sports bodies.
“If it is really true that the elections were called off because of the educational requirement, then it is unfortunate. I tried to inquire after learning about the elections’ postponement but I am getting different signals. The indication from my officials is that the elections were postponed because there were few applicants for the positions.
“But others are telling me the polls were postponed because the contestants did not meet the said educational requirement,” said Mussa.
The minister said the issue of an educational requirement was still a proposal.
“It is a proposal that was made before. The reasoning was that sports should be run by people with integrity. But my office has not endorsed the proposal and it is wrong to apply it before a final decision is made.”
Mussa was of the view that people with knowledge and interest in sports must be given a chance to serve in associations regardless of educational qualifications.
“One may posses a degree but have very little to offer in sports,” he said.
Various sports associations have petitioned the minister complaining about what they termed “Council’s continued interference” in their operations.
The petition, which was delivered through chief sports officer in the Ministry Jameson Ndalama on Thursday afternoon states: “We write to register our serious concerns with Sports Council’s persistent interference in the administration/operations of sports associations.
“We would like to draw to your attention, Honourable Minister the recent incident where Council stopped Nam elections at Blantyre Youth Centre on the basis of educational qualifications after all logistical arrangements had been finalized.
“It is our considered view that associations should be run in accordance with their respective constitutions. Any act outside an association’s constitution is illegal and ultra vires. We, the undersigned associations feel Council is overstretching itself by demanding educational qualifications from aspiring candidates,” reads the letter.
It further says: “Positions in the associations are voluntary and it is illogical for one to demand educational qualifications. The demand for educational qualifications is being made out of a policy, which has not been adopted. We feel this is discriminatory and in contrast with the Republican Constitution.”
“We ask you to stop Council from enforcing policies that are retrogressive and discriminatory in nature. We do not intend to make a legal challenge but we reserve the right to do so if our concerns are not addressed with the speed they deserve,” concludes the letter.
Mussa said he has not seen the letter.
Malawi Boxing association (Maba) general secretary Henry ‘Kadziotche’ Sakala and Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) president Godfrey Phiri, whose associations have signed the document laughed off the decision to demand diplomas.
“We have no universities or colleges that are offering sports diplomas or degrees in the country. What our universities are offering are diplomas and degrees in agriculture, engineering, accounting etc., which have nothing to do with sports. So, if I have a degree in plumbing, do you expect me to be conversant with boxing issues? argued Sakala.
Council’s executive secretary George Jana confirmed Nam elections were postponed because of the requirement for educational qualifications but was reluctant to say much on the issue claiming he was not the final decision-maker in Council.
“I am only a client of the Council. As a secretariat, our duty is only to implement the policies that have been made. Of course, the Council seeks the ministry’s approval on its policies and I don’t know what the minister will say on this particular issue.
“The policy that Council came up with is that holders of the positions of president, general secretary and treasurer must be in possession of a diploma as a minimum qualification. The treasurer must also have an accounting background. The rest of the members in associations should be holders of MSCE certificate,” said Jana, adding the issue was communicated to all sports associations.
But the associations are arguing in their petition that they were not consulted on the issue.
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