“…one of the first tasks at the assumption of office of Fleetwood Haiya was to ensure that the football environment was purged of the so much toxicity that had threatened the health of the game and made some person, ideas and stakeholders feel unwelcome in the system.”
On a brighter afternoon, amid a highly packed and jammed Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel, some three hundred sixty-five days past, the chapter of Malawi football was injected with a new antidote.
On a background of a highly contested election never seen before in as far as local football elections- at any level- are concerned, one, Fleetwood Haiya, daringly christened FH, was declared winner of the 2023 FAM presidential elections.
Assuming the reigns of power from a 19-year old sitting president, Walter Nyamilandu Manda-whose tentacles had gripped the countrys football climate for two decades- was a mammoth task, an upheaval attempt on its own right.
The rest is history, as the new broom in FH came and conquered successfully taking over charge at Chiwembe, the countrys football headquarters.
The relationship between good governance in football and intrinsic football growth has been a conundrum for football administrators and enthusiasts in Malawi for a while.
Undoubtedly a common denominator that dissects this puzzle into two equal hemispheres, remains leadership. Yes, Leadership! Surely, Haiyas 15-point plan of rescuing Malawi football had convinced affiliates (delegates) at the elective indaba.
What remained was a huge task for Haiya and his new team to deliver on their promises.
One may ask whether over the past year, the football transformation agenda-Haiyas rallying cry during the campaign- has really taken off from its transformative planes as staked and stocked in the FH Manifestos christened Transforming the Game.
Has the new leadership inspired the desired change that the football fraternity long awaited in its maiden year and beyond?
Is the trajectory thus so far taken, yielding or promising results that will glow and grow local football? These are indeed some of the pertinent questions that both skeptics and pessimists may be posing.
Indeed, at the take off his leadership, one of the first tasks at the assumption of office of Fleetwood Haiya was to ensure that the football environment was purged of the so much toxicity that had threatened the health of the game and made some person, ideas and stakeholders feel unwelcome in the system by giving all stakeholders a sense of belonging with a policy of inclusivity.
The game, thrives on its ability to bring together people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and passion. Thus, the agenda ticked the box so neatly and accurately.
Narrowing to the important and most critical thematic areas that are solid performance bearings in as far as football growth is concerned are governance, technical and infrastructure development, commercial and marketing, we rate the first year in line with Fleetwood Haiyas manifesto as a relatively successful casting of a solid foundation for transformation of football.
By commissioning the Eastern Region Football Association, enhancing strategic partnerships and launching FAM Strategic plan, and restructuring the Flames technical panel albeit on temporary basis, the Haiya administration, appears to demonstrate that good governance in the local game is not merely a regulatory requirement rather it is the foundation upon which the sport’s future is built.
As football continues to captivate millions around the country, good governance will remain crucial in shaping a positive and prosperous future for the beautiful game in line with his transformation agenda.
In assuming his new role, Haiya emphasized on the need to refine the game through deliberate technical improvements through adhoc capacity building.
The opening of Luwinga Inclusive Academy-within his first year in office- stands as a beacon of excellence in the drive to increase export of local players, and a platform to groom future stars in an encompassing and inclusive environment.
A meticulous high-level performance analysis training for elite and national team coaches, resonated with his manifesto.
Perhaps the regime is trying to align football to modern technological trends. An increase of subvention channeled towards its Member Associations including the provision of transport will improve service delivery at critical hubs of football transformation.
Modern football survives on the planks of commercial activities. In driving his first year in office. The FH leadership at FAM extensively turned their attention in recalibrating commercial revenue streams by embracing and adopting digital platforms, improved gate management systems.
This is evidenced by a shift in records of improved revenues in Mpira TV media rights that gives the new regime some comfort, as a better direction thus far taken.
However, the regime received dents in the first time of asking, the performance of Malawi national football teams, both men and women, senior and junior have not been impressive in the maiden year of FH led regime.
Admirers of the regime may still soften up, superficially, it might have been an inherited assembly. However, the exponent flags red lights as an area of dire concern.
National teams performances are largely seen as a measurable indicator of football progress and growth.
A critical area that the regime must mainstream, by improving the supply lines to build a sustainable future of the game.
Haiya and his troops have a daunting task, by design or default, or both to quickly turn around the fortunes of its underperforming teams, and make Malawi football great again. They have a mammoth duty to bring back fans enmasse in stadia across the country to enjoy exciting matches, once more.
Transformation of the game has taken off with promise amidst doldrums that will be navigated through eventually.
