* The primary objective of this workshop is to standardise safety and security procedures across our football ecosystem
* And enhance the capabilities of our personnel tasked with delivering secure matchday operations
* The initiative also reinforces FAM’s continued focus on enhancing the fan experience at matches, which is a core element of the modern football environment
By Duncan Mlanjira
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is hosting a high-level three-day CAF Safety & Security training session in Lilongwe to strategise for the creation of a safe and welcoming environment for everyone at football events and to embed a culture of safety and security across Malawi.
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At the official opening ceremony this morning at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe — graced by among others Super League of Malawi SULOM president, Brigadier General Gilbert Mitawa and general secretary, Williams Banda — FAM vice-president,Christopher Madalitso Kuyera, said it was a great honour and privilege for FAM to host the first-ever CAF Safety & Security Workshop here in Malawi, describing it as “a historic moment”.
“Following last year’s successful high-level Stewards Trainer-of-Trainers Workshop, we made a firm commitment to organise a CAF Safety & Security training session — and today, we are witnessing that promise come to fruition,” he said.
“The primary objective of this workshop is to standardise safety and security procedures across our football ecosystem and enhance the capabilities of our personnel tasked with delivering secure matchday operations.”
Christopher Madalitso Kuyera
The Veep emphasised that the initiative also reinforces FAM’s continued focus on enhancing the fan experience at matches, which is a core element of the modern football environment.
“As FAM, we are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring ‘zero deaths and zero violence’ at all football matches across the country. The safety of every individual attending a football event is non-negotiable — every life matters and that is why ensuring safety and security remains at the heart of our operations.
“Balancing stringent security measures with fan enjoyment is essential. Our goal is to make football events both safe and enjoyable,” said Kuyera, who added that FAM believes “in championing safe stadiums, because football should be a family affair — where people can bring their children, friends, and loved ones without fear”.
Through the workshop, the facilitators, CAF Safety Officer, Xolile Vilakati and CAF Safety & Security Instructor, Dixon Okello, are set to equip Malawi football security officers with the latest tools, techniques, and protocols necessary for managing safety at both club and national levels.
Kuyera expressed confidence that by the end of the three-day training, “all participants will walk away with enhanced skills and knowledge that will elevate our matchday safety operations”.
He commended the FAM leadership for prioritising safety and security, saying: “We trust that all stakeholders here will embrace this opportunity to build stronger networks and share experiences that will improve matchday safety across the board.
“As we all know, in the past, lapses in safety and security have led to unfortunate incidents — including tragedies and abandoned matches. These must never be repeated,” he emphasised.
He thus encouraged the participants to fully engage in the workshop and to implement the learnings practically — “so that together, we bring real change to our stadium environments”.
He sincerely expressed FAM’s gratefulness to CAF for accepting the request and sending seasoned experts to help train the designated club safety and security officers.
“To our CAF instructors, the responsibility you carry over the next three days is critical. You are laying the foundation for a safer, more resilient football ecosystem in Malawi.
“Through your guidance, we are confident that Malawi can attain excellence in safety and security management,” said the Vice-President.
On her part, CAF Safety Officer, Xolile Vilakati echoed Kuyera’s sentiments, adding that it is imperative to create safer stadium environment, emphasising that football venues are not “war zones”.
Xolile Vilakati
“A stadium is where people should have enjoyment, where they are assured they can bring along their families with a promise that they will be in a safe environment,” she said.
“A parent should be able to bring their young child, who might be interested in football, so we don’t want parents to be scared of bringing their children because they are not sure if their security and safety.”
Vilakati added that part of the workshop is to encourage the football authorities not to rely on the police services in providing security but rather stewards and private security firms, who are being trained to treat fans as customers — thus giving them the customer care they deserve.
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“It is important to use stewards because they act proactively since they are being trained in customer care and we should also use private security aligned with football stadium environment.
“Of course, the police should be use, especially on the outskirts of the stadium where their mandate lies. It must be understood that the police have a lot of work to do in enforcing public safety in their public order sector that includes traffic.
“Let’s minimise their scope of work by using stewards at the stadium, we should allow police officers to spend many hours at one football place instead of dealing with other pressing public security matters,” said Vilakazi.
