The Malawi National Council of Sports board has approved strict measures for sports associations that fail to comply with operational guidelines. A letter from the council to its member associations states that a sports leadership training was conducted in Lilongwe last month to strengthen the capacity of sports leaders in governance, compliance, and accountability. The training aimed to equip leaders with the necessary skills to manage their associations effectively. The council's acting chief executive officer, Ivy Kondowe-Chinangwa, signed the letter.
The council conducted a compliance assessment after the training and submitted recommendations to the board for consideration. The board has directed the council's management to implement measures to safeguard athletes, ensure procedural fairness, and manage risks associated with the compliance process. Associations assessed as compliant will retain their registration and recognition by the council. Those without a fully functioning secretariat will be required to establish one within a specified period. A functional secretariat is essential for effective administration, records management, and financial accountability.
Partially compliant associations will be granted a two-month period to address identified compliance gaps and submit evidence of corrective action to the council. Associations that fail to rectify outstanding deficiencies within the prescribed period will be subject to deregistration. The council will serve non-compliant associations with a Notice of Intention to Deregister, providing 30 days to address the requirements or show cause why deregistration should not proceed. The notice will specify the outstanding requirements and the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.
Where an association remains non-compliant after the notice period and consideration of any response, the council will proceed with deregistration in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Any deregistration decision will be formally communicated and published through the Government Gazette, a national newspaper, and the council's official website and social media platforms. A deregistered association will cease to enjoy recognition and access to council support.
A deregistered association may reapply for registration once it has addressed the identified deficiencies. The compliance and deregistration process targets institutional governance and compliance failures, not athletes. The council will put in place measures to protect athletes and minimize disruption. Sports Council board chairperson Jim Kalua stated that the council has done everything to train associations on governance, compliance, and accountability, and it is now time to move forward.
Kalua emphasized that the council will help struggling associations meet the requirements within the set timeframe, but non-compliant ones will be deregistered. So far, 20 associations have met the guidelines in full, including athletics, basketball, cricket, and football. Those yet to meet any of the requirements include baseball and softball, canoeing, and lawn tennis. The council remains committed to working with associations to strengthen governance and build a more accountable sports system in Malawi.
The council's efforts aim to promote a culture of compliance and good governance among sports associations in Malawi. The implementation of these measures will ensure that sports associations operate effectively and efficiently, with a focus on athlete welfare and development. The council's commitment to working with associations will help build a stronger sports system in the country.
Key points
- The Malawi National Council of Sports board has approved strict measures for sports associations that fail to comply with operational guidelines.
- Associations that fail to comply with the guidelines will face deregistration, while those that are partially compliant will be given a two-month period to address their compliance gaps.
- The council's efforts aim to promote a culture of compliance and good governance among sports associations in Malawi.
