By Duncan Mlanjira
Aspirant for the post of Football Association of Malawi (FAM) presidency, James Leonard Mwenda says the country’s football needs to be re-engineered to grow to new heights so that it becomes an industry that supports millions of people while contributing to Malawi’s national development strategies.
Mwenda said this on Monday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe when he launched his manifesto for the December 14 FAM elective annual general meeting in Mangochi.
Mwenda
“Football is the most popular sport in the world,” he said as a preamble to his official manifesto. “It is watched and played by billions world over. Malawi is not exceptional.
“It is called the beautiful game because it brings nations, regions, societies, communities and individuals together regardless of race, political affiliation and religion.
“In Malawi, Football can play a significant role in the economic development of the country through creation of jobs and revenue.
“I believe there is a future in our football if it is well nurtured. We can build on our proud past through development and commercialization of football in Malawi.
“It is my strongly held conviction that it is possible to make FAM the best sports organization in Africa and entire world in the next few years.
“That is my dream and I am convinced together we can turn this into reality.”
Walter Nyamilandu, current president
He lauds himself as an accomplished football administrator, with over 21 years’ experience in which he has been instrumental in shaping Malawi football at club, community, district, regional and national levels.
He believes he has helped Malawi’s football development through transformative changes in FAM’s administration and technical operations and that he is passionate about developing football and has always wanted to make Malawi football attractive locally and internationally.
“James started football administration and volunteering from the grassroots,” says the manifesto. “He has moved through the ranks of football in Malawi. From the lowest levels of local football administration rising through the ranks.”
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The first vice-president for FAM since 2015 has occupied the seat of FAM’s executive member from 2011 – 2015 after being executive member for the Central Region Football Association (SRFA) from 1998 – 2001.
He had been CRFA general secretary from 2001–2011 that elevated him to become FAM executive member.
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From 2015 to date, he has been chairperson for FAM technical and youth sub-committee and was FAM’ referees sub-committee chairperson from 2011- 2015 as well as being vice-chairperson of FAM’s competitions committee (2011- 2015).
A holder of FAM coaching C License (1999) and CAF C License (2016), he is also chairperson for Malawi Anti-doping Association from 2015 to date.
His international football experience includes being a FIFA Administration Instructor (2010 to date); COSAFA Competitions Sub–Committee member (2011 to date); and as a FIFA Match Commissioner (2016 to date).
Nyamilandu talking to legends Meke Mwase and
Lovemore Fazili, who are national team coaches
Born on March 30, 1974, Mwenda — who holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business Administration — is a career civil servant since 1996 as a District Lands Officer with Lilongwe District Council.
He has over the years worked as a rural and community development worker, which has enabled him to work and collaborate with grassroots football, says the manifesto.
This has exposed him to realities of life in Malawi especially among the poor and underprivileged who form the largest part of followers of football in Malawi.
He says once elected as FAM president, his mission is to reshape Malawi football through visionary leadership, football growth and development, improved resourcing and financing; and good governance and reforms.
“My vision is to develop and commercialize football in Malawi for the benefit of All Malawians and my goal is to raise the standards of football and contribute to Malawi’s development goals.
“In order to achieve the dream of developing and commercializing football, we will work with government and other partners to ensure that a strategy is built on four pillars — visionary leadership; investing in football development; resourcing and financing; and good governance and reforms.
On visionary leadership, he highlights that amongst the key issues that impinge on growth of football in Malawi are weak leadership, technical and managerial capacities of football management structures at various levels.
Mpira Stadium at Chiwembe
“Under this pillar, my commitment to the football fraternity in Malawi is to provide visionary leadership that will enable FAM to spearhead the required ‘new thinking and direction’ that will develop and grow the game to greater heights.
“Under my leadership, FAM will develop a ‘Football 2030 Agenda’ which will embrace the theme of ‘Malawi Football Development, Growth and Commercialization’.
This agenda will embrace short, medium and long-term goals. FAM will develop a Strategic Plan covering the period 2020 to 2023, which will spearhead implementation of the Football 2030 Agenda.
“We will review all football development structures across the country and develop clear pathways to enhance growth in all aspects (players, coaches, referees, administrators and clubs).
“Furthermore, we will build capacity of technical staff, administrators, referees, current and former players and supporters at all levels. We will design and implement a series of targeted training programmes at community, district, regional and national levels.
“We will adopt innovative training programmes for football coaches, managers, administrators, supporters and legends and former players so that all can play their rightful role in development and commercialization of the beautiful game in Malawi.
“We pledge that we will provide visionary leadership that is inclusive and participatory, with highest standards of moral integrity.
“Through our targeted interventions we will rebrand the game and promote vibrant marketing that will attract more stakeholders to come and effectively contribute towards development and growth of football in Malawi at all levels.
“We will work with cooperating partners to take part and have an interest in supporting and investing in football. This will include training of coaches, referees, technical personnel and administrators through various programs that will be negotiated and agreed with development partners.
“We pledge to be transparent and accountable to all stakeholders and the entire football fraternity.
“In the long term, the ultimate goal is to secure consistent qualifications into regional and international competitions at all levels, including, but not limited to COSAFA tournaments, African Nations Championship (CHAN), Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the World Cup and other emerging competitions.
“These efforts will cut across all football disciplines to include men’s football, women football and beach soccer,” says Mwenda, who is up against Walter Nyamilandu Manda, the seasoned FAM president with 15 years of experience and is also a FIFA Council member.