![Mijiga: FAM presidential aspirant]()
Top marketer Wilkins Mijiga is aspiring to take over the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) presidency during the December 12 elections. He was nominated by Super League of Malawi (SULOM) to challenge incumbent Walter Nyailandu who is seeking a fourth term.
Nyasa Times engaged Mijiga for an exclusive interview.
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![Mijiga: FAM presidential aspirant]()
Mijiga: FAM presidential aspirant[/caption]
Excerpts:
Mr. Wilkins George Mijiga, you are vying for the Presidency of FAM, Tell us who you are and your track record?
I am a 1993 Graduate of Economics and Sociology from Chancellor College, University of Malawi and a Post Graduate scholar in Leadership with the University of Cape Town, has been a consummate and passionate driver, campaigner, innovator, architect, pioneer, veteran, manager and Administrator of a lot of football initiatives and campaigns in Malawi at all levels from secondary, university, community to National level. I was born on April 6
th, 1971, and currently work as Head of Strategy, Marketing and Corporate Affairs for National Bank of Malawi. I am also a Board Member of Airport Development Limited (ADL) since 2014 and I also co-own one of Blantyre’s elite, most prestigious and up market pub called HS Winehouse.
Most people know you as a banker and a marketer or a corporate leadership scholar. What football administrative credentials do you have to run for such office?
I have a very rich track record in football involvement not only as a player, which almost every Malawian boy does at one time or another , but in football management and it started from my high school days and runs as follows;:
From 1987 to 1989 I was Team Manager, Malosa Secondary School Football Team Where I was instrumental in facilitating the day to day coordination and operations of the Malosa Secondary School Football Team during its participation in the then Famous MBS Trophy.
Some of the prominent members of that team included Lennox Thipa who went to play for Admarc Tigers, Austin Mandiwa who is currently in the USA, late Paul Kankodo who went on to play for UFC, Zonena Zimphonje, Wilson Nanungu, a Physiotherapist with QECH. Todate they still call me “athimu”; colloquial Chichewa for Team Manager.
From 1992 to 1993 I was Team Manager, Chilunga (Chancellor College ) Football Club This was another two years of being the operative and administrative champion for the coordination and facilitation of the logistical requirements to run Chanco Football Club that was playing in the Blantyre and District Football League division two .
Most of the players in the Chanco team graduated their way up into the UFC (University Football Club) of those days that was playing in the Premier League, the most prestigious league at time
From 2000 to 2001 I was Manager and Champion of the Carlsberg Cup I championed the launch of the first ever Carlsberg Cup in 2000 as Brand Manager for Carlsberg Malawi. As the Carlsberg brand champion, I took the lead in the conceptualization, packaging and bringing into being the Carlsberg Cup and its subsequent holly razzmatazz of execution that made the Carlsberg Cup of 2000 achieve Pop Star status with its novel execution of bringing military aircrafts to spice the cup final including using of beauty pageants to bring the cup making it become more than a cup final but a massive exciting football pageantry.
In 2005 I was Vice Chairperson and Coordinator of the FAM CUP
On January 5
th 2005 on the request and approach by the President of the Football Association of Malawi to help the Association deal with the draught of Cups and Tournaments sponsorship in Malawi at his taking office, I used my rich social capital and professional and social networks to coordinated a caucus of professionals and business executives that formed the FAM CUP Campaign chaired at that time by the Vice President the Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima.
As Vice Chairperson I was in charge of the operational and logistical coordination of the day to day administrative and routine operations of the FAM Cup Campaign.
The Committee conceptualized and launched the FAM CUP initiative, conducted a self-help funds mobilization for the Cup and ran the organisation of the matches in the competition and the attendant logistics of running a Football Cup Competition including the format of fixtures and then the execution and staging of the Finals having secured aK6 million once of sponsorship from Press Trust.
Having successfully ran this campaign and given birth to the FAM Cup, Standard Bank came to take it over and rechristened the Cup to Standard Bank Cup.
In 2008 I was Pioneer and Founding member, BEACH SOCCER
I worked as a founder and pioneer member of the first ever Beach soccer tournament that happened in Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima.
As a key member of the team I was key in driving the conceptualization of the trophy, the venue booking and scheduling of the event. Most critically I championed the resource mobilization to run the launch by securing sponsorship of K0.5 million from National Bank of Malawi. I was also one of the few members of the team that attended 10 of the meetings running up to and during the launch of the Beach Soccer in Malawi.
Since 2003 Member of the Big Bullets Board of Trustees
From 2008 to 2012 I was Board Member, National Council of Sports
From 2009 to 2010 I was Chairperson, FLAMES 2010 Resource Mobilization Campaign
My highest achievements and contribution to football to date came in 2009 when I appointed by the Malawi Government, under the recommendation of FAM and National Council of sports to Chair a special Task Force to mobilize resources from the corporate world, the private sectors and the Malawian public with the purpose of applying those resources and make them available to be used by the Malawi National Football Team, the FLAMES to participate in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
I led the task force which included prominent members such as Peterkins Kayira, Mrs. Wilma Chalulu, Mr. Darlington Ndasauka, Mrs. Stella Hara and many others; to go on the highway conducting fund raising initiative including big walks, SMS (short message service) Promotions, Music shows, dinner and dances and seeking pledges of support.
These efforts culminated in engaging the help of the Chief Executive Officer of Press Corporation , Professor Matthews Chikaonda who helped mobilize business captains to pledge in excess of K22 million that was paid over to FAM on January 7
th 2015 and enabled the FLAMEs effectively at the 2010 AFCON in Angola
It seems you have been deeply involved with football, how about FAM, have you been directly involved with their Activities?
Of course most deeply involved. The FAM Cup initiative as well as the 20110 FLAMES Resource Mobilization were direct activities benefiting not only the people of Malawi but FAM in particular. I have also been engaged by FAM at various levels on other key assignments like in
2012 to 2013 when I was Member of the FAM Commercialization and Marketing Team
In this assignment I worked as a lead and member of the Commercialization and Marketing Initiative to make FAM a fully-fledged-self-financing and financially vibrant and independent Association that generate adequate financial resources through innovation and initiatives to be commercially viable. This initiative culminated in the launch of the first ever FLAMES Replica Jerseys deal with PUMA and the subsequent launch of the PUMA Replica Jerseys and its marketing and vending.
What other key initiative have you been involved with in the Football arena?
In 2014 I Chaired the Resource Mobilization campaign for KEEP BLANTYRE CLEAN and GREEN and the Blantyre MAYOR’s CHARITY SHIELD
I worked as part of the team that championed the launch of the Mayor’s Charity Shield in 2014 in the month of November following on to the Mayors Ball that happened on November 1, 2014 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Khwesi Msusa.
As Chair I was part of the key personalities that led the team in the conceptualization of the tournament, liaison with stakeholders including the participating teams and all the logistics and administrative tasks of managing the Tournament end to end. And the Shield was won by Mighty Be Forward Wanderers. We are currently working on the 2015 version .
So why must Malawians, through the FAM Affiliates , elect you as the next FAM president?
As President Barack Obama said when he visited the AU this year , we need change of leadership to bring in new insights and energies into our institutions and communities.
Most significantly I have a vibrant energy towards society initiatives not only in football but many spheres, I am an ardent believer of and a devoted embracer and doer of everything to do with good corporate governance, I truly believe and walk transparency which has given me a great source of social capital and networks with all the key stakeholders in any business and social endeavours and I have demonstrated that I can use my social credits and capital to benefit football before. I will use that same capital to turn football into a vibrant , thriving and sustainable business that will benefit all the key stakeholders.
What will be unique about Wilkins Mijiga, should he become FAM president?
I will make FAM transparent by publishing its audited accounts every year, as a constitutional must, as champion the cause of ring fencing corporate governance by abolishing Life Presidency at FAM by advocating for term limits and empowering the affiliates to be meeting FAM as a governing council at least three times in a year so that the FAM Executive is held accountable to the people of Malawi for its actions.
Most importantly I am exceptionally innovative and have an abundant knack of creativity and I do things with the utmost of perfection and I am poised, with the support of all the key stakeholders in football to take Malawian football to the top ten of within the next four years and the top five within the next ten years by doing what every intelligent sensible person does, building from the ground level with a strong foundation and not starting to build with the roof as is the case now where all we focus is the national team.
No, I will make football vibrant from grass root football academies through active vibrant district and regional leagues and tiered age bracketed national squads right to the super League, which is already professionally ran and vibrant, to the national team. I will do the hard work of building from the bottom not the lazy easy way of just participating in every tournament even when we are not ready.
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu : Seeking fourth term[/caption]
According to a document from the world governing body’s auditor AMG Global, the association received a total of US$ 1050,000 in grants meant for various programmes and projects.
But this is while the association has been nagging the government to offer funding for the national team engagements.
Among the beneficiary programmes sanctioned by Fifa are US$10,000, men’s competitions US$300,000 (K150 million), women’s competitions US$112,500 around (K27 million), technical development US15,500, refereeing US20,000, Futsal and Beach Soccer US10,000, planning and administration US282,000, Infrastructure US$300,000.
The sources said the money would have been enough to meet some of the financial needs the association wants.
“With all this, FAM still take its begging bowl to Malawi government. It also gets money from national team games, cup games gate collections shares,” said a concerned soccer fan.
The expenses on women’s football is far much less that than what FIfa recommends by giving out grants.
FAM has for the past two years failed to hold Presidential Cup which was initially pegged at K60 million as the money was diverted towards the national team.
This year Malawi National Council of Sports has directed to the association to hold the competition but it might not involve the elite league teams.
In 2014 the football association also pocketed a total of US$$500,000 from the some projects of which US$250,000 was a bonus that Fifa offered to the association for the South Africa World Cup proceeds.
The association is intending to buy a bus despite the fact the South Africa offered a bus that was used during the 2010 World Cup as a token of appreciation for the countries in the region who contributed to the success of Africa’s first ever greatest football fiesta.
In 2013 it received US$250,000 and 2012 it got also US$250,000 and in 2011 it pocketed US$550,000
Nyirenda: In rare admission on juju[/caption]
"This was regrettable. Malawi won the game yes but we could not have done that. This was the time I did not know Jesus, I was not spiritual," said Nyirenda in a programme monitored on MBC radio one.
He said he was prompted to travel to Mulanje and spend a night in the famous charm district because DR Congo team brought their herbalists.
This is a rare admission on juju by a senior official at the football association.
Nyirenda also urged football players to complete their education as football career is always short.
"If FAM had its own national players, I could have done all what it takes so that they get first degrees, unfortunately these players are owned by clubs. It is always good to see players holding senior positions in companies. They should not rely on football alone because it is short-lived," he said.
Nyirenda said his role model is his boss, Walter Nyamilandu saying he has excelled in life marvellously.
Nyamilandu who is a senior manager at Illovo Sugar is seeking a fourth term as president of FAM at the December 12 elections. He faces prominent marketer Wilkins Mijiga in a two horse race.
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Champions! Champions! Nyasa Big Bullets 2015 Malawi TNM Super League football kings celebrate...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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jovial mood...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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Jaffali Chande and Dalitso Sailesi celebrating a goal...Photo Jeromy Kadewere.[/caption]
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The big five for Bullets in a line up...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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Big Bullets coach Mabvuto Lungu delighted with title win ..Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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Champions Celebrations...photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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Osman: Busy[/caption]
Wanderers vice general secretary Chris Kananji said Chamangwana, whose young brother George is the chairman of the club, has been roped in to help the technical panel to the end of the season as the team is struggling to find convincing results.
Kananji said the decision to take Chamangwana on board was reached at after the exercise meeting in Blantyre Monday evening to review the team’s recent poor performance.
According to Kananji, Osman has excused himself three months ago as he said he is busy with personal businesses in Mangochi.
Nyasa Times also understands that the committee has issued a stern warning to Team Managers Chiyembekezo Zidane and his deputy Steve Madeira to get to serious business or face the chop if the discipline of some players doesn't change which they said is contributing to the team's inconsistent performances.
Wanderers have played 23 games in TNM Super League managed to win only 1 game in second round with average of 2 goals scored so far .
Chamangwana player for Wanderers in his early days before he played his professional football in South Africa where he captained Kaizer Chiefs before he coached Yanga FC in Tanzania and was also Flames Technical Director before he was appointed as assistant coach of Flames to Young Chimodzi and he is considered as one of the best players for Malawi.
FMB Head of Marketing Sylvia Mataka during the draw...Photo Jeromy Kadewere.[/caption]
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Jersey presentation ceremony....Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
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Listening attentively during the ceremony...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
Present during the draw was FMB Head of marketing manager Sylvia Mataka, Football Association of Malawi competitions manager Gomegzani Zakazaka and Mabvuto Missi from National Youth Football.
During the draw Fish Eagles were drawn against Dedza Police Youth in an early kick-off on Friday before Mangochi Police Reserve against Disciples at 2:30.
Both games will be played at the Zomba Community Centre Ground as well as the finals on Saturday.
In her speech, Mataka hailed National Youth Football Committee for smooth run of the Cup and urged soccer lovers to patrionise the games on Friday and Saturday in Zomba.
She also said as FMB they are happy in sponsoring the cup because they have helped in unearthing hidden talent.
“We are proud as a bank to have produced talented players to both Malawi Under 20 and some Super League teams,” said Mataka.
Mataka said come Saturday in Zomba, people should expect an entertaining final and promised fun and pomp.
She said they are also proud to have doubled the prize money from last year and said they remain committed in helping government to uplift football in this country.
“We urge fans to come and watch the final match and celebrate with FMB in 20 years of banking excellence,” she said.
Mabvuto Missi saluted FMB for taking a leading role in the development of sports especially from the grass root level.
For instance, he mentioned a number of players who are playing in the Super League from FMB Cup like Miracle Gabeya,Isaac Kaliat and Gerald Papa Phiri, who is now plying his trade in South Africa.
“We also promise the sponsors that the youth committee will continue to be more transparent. Sponsoring a cup for 6 years is not a joke and we say thanks to FMB,” said Missi.
During the draw, there was also a jersey presentation ceremony to the teams.
Wanderers fail to win again[/caption]
Elijah Kabingu looked to have sent the cops on a victory in the 26th minute when he put them ahead, Jabulani Linje having equalized a few minutes later.
Wanderers were desolate but it would have been a real smash-and-grab if they were sharp upfront despite showing most of the ambition and moments of quality in a game high on drama but short on class.
Mighty Wanderers supporters rose to acclaim their team's resilience at the final whistle, but they may actually feel disappointed not to claim all three points against Blue Eagles side that were desperately poor for long periods
Their main business was to be contesting a top- eight place and trying to ensure they are in next season's Standard Bank Cup.
Wanderers kept Kondwani Kumwenda in a central role, from where he caused havoc to the visitors, but it was the lively Muhammad Sulumba who had the best opportunities during a first half in which chances were in short supply.
The Nomads had been much improved without carving, but the breakthrough finally came on half-time when Linje made space in the area before drilling home a low right-foot shot off the post.
Sulumba would have given the Nomads a deserved lead at the break, but he lacked confidence and composure inside the box.
Blue Eagles showed greater ruthlessness in front of goal in the second half but their strikers had tough time to pass through the likes of Boston Kabango and Wongani Kaipa.
Elijah Kananji had introduced Ibrahim Sadick and Luka Milanzi to give the Nomads the cutting edge they lacked, and it needed an athletic save from John Soko to turn Sadick’s shot over the bar.
Both teams tried to secure three points but to no avail.
Cougars warming up after Saturday night's victory[/caption]
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Done it again- Sanjay poses with Kuyeri after getting his prizes[/caption]
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Winners pose with sponsors[/caption]
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British High Commissioner to Malawi Michael Nevin watches his ball after teeing off.[/caption]
Playing off handicap 12, which was later chopped to 10, the golfer finished top after hitting a stablefold score of 38 points in a field of close to 100 golfers from Lilongwe and other sister golf clubs.
He was presented with a trophy, state-of-the-art golf bag and a Wi-Max Antena loaded with 25GB of internet data by MTL.
“I am very thankful to TNM for the wonderful prizes. Last week I was on the podium as champion for the National Bank golf tournament and to emerge champion again within a space of one week is something very special for me,” said Sanjay after receiving his prizes.
Chris Mpanga, who is also on top of his game came second with a score of 37 points followed by Muhamed Master, who counted out fourth-placed Thandor Sibindi. Deputy Zambian High Commissioner Henry Ngilazi completed the prize list with a score of 35 points.
The ladies’ category was won by Dr Sue Makin, who registered 37 points. LGC ladies’ captain Regina Mwanza was second on 33 points followed by Elizabeth Mvula on 32 points.
Speaking during the prize presentation ceremony, MTL’s chief commercial officer Gladson Kuyeri said the company organised the tournament to bring together its customers and potential sponsors and share with them some of the new solutions and products the company was offering.
“We wanted to share with our customers some of the new solutions and services that we are offering and also get their feed-back in an informal environment. We are happy with the response from golfers as well as the organisation of the tournament and will be back with another tournament next year,” said Kuyeri.
LGC captain Charles Mvula hailed MTL, which is the largest service provider of broadband internet in Malawi for returning to golf after a two-year break.
The company presented a K350,000 cheque to LGC for maintenance of the golf course.
Work in progress for Karonga stadium[/caption]
“It is very pleasing that construction work at Karonga Stadium has commenced,” said Kyungu, an influential chief in northern border district.
The site for the stadium is at Baka Research Station in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu.<
Government handed over the site to Nangaunozge Building Contractors to start constructing the stadium early last month.
Karonga district commissioner Rosemary Moyo said the construction works for Karonga Stadium have finally commenced.
“The contractors are on the ground,” she said.
Moyo hopes that the facility will be ready for use in not too distant future.
She said the stadium is a “big project that demands contractors to be given enough time to mobilise resources.”
Community chairperson for Karonga Stadium construction project, Kossam Munthali, said they are monitoring the construction progress .
Chiukepo Msowoya scored the first goal[/caption]
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Malawi started their campaign for Cecafa title with a 2-1 win over Sudan[/caption]
Chiukepo Msowoya put the Flames ahead in the 15th minute before Sudan levelled matters through Atahir El-Tahir.
Dalisto Sailesi scored in 32nd minute to ensure Malawi - the guests in the tournament - triumphed.
In a match which was monitored on internet streaming, Sudan fought bravely for an equaliser, but several times squandered the chances by shooting off target and those would-be goals were well taken care my Malawi goalkeeper Simplex Nthara who starred the encounter with several brilliant saves.
The Flames were a better side as they raided Sudan goal several times through Chiukepo Msowoya and Schumaker Kuwali, but could not get their finishing act right.
The Ernest Mtawali side had also a good defence marshalled by Stanely Sanudi, Miracle Gabeya, Yamikani Fodya and John Lanjesi.
Malawi group also comprises South Sudan and Djibout.
Earlier on, South Sudan got off to a flying start after they beat Djibouti 2-0. Bruno Martinez put the victors ahead in the 28th minute before Dominic Abuyo scored the winner in 73rd minute.
Kenya edged out Uganda Cranes 2-0 in the opening match of the regional tournament.
Cougars, Mimbulu in action[/caption]
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The conquering Cougars[/caption]
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League B champions Dream team[/caption]
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Cougars capt Takondwa Mengezi receive the trophy from Kalua[/caption]
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Yabwanya: Wins appeal, to stand[/caption]
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Mijiga: Cleared for FAM president polls[/caption]
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Gerald Phiri Jnr scored for Malawi[/caption]
Gerald Phiri scored for the Flames in the 30th minute on a spot kick, before John Banda made it 2-0 five minutes later in a match which saw Schumaker Kuwali being shown marching orders.
On the 75th minute, captain Chiukepo Msowoya sealed the victory, which consequently eliminated Djibouti from the tournament.
The Flames began the tournament on a brilliant note beating Sudan Falcons 2-1 on Monday and victory against a side that lost 2-0 to South Sudan has seen them go to six points and a berth in the last eight secured.
They will now play South Sudan in their last Group C encounter on Friday on academic purposes – perhaps to seek Group winner.
The Flames dominated play in the entire but missed key opportunities.
In Wednesday’s encounter, coach Ernest Mtawali did not make changes to the previous squad that played Sudan.
Mtawali started the same line-up that faced Sudan with youthful Miracle Gabeya and John Lanjesi paired in central defence to shield goalkeeper Simplex Nthala while Yamikani Fodya and Stanley Sanudi operated as left-back and right-back respectively.
John Banda, Phiri, Chimango Kayira and Dalitso Sailesi retained their midfield roles while Msowoya and Kuwali teamed upfront.