By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Colonel Gilbert Mittawa will lead the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) battalion unit for the next three years after being declared the commander by the 16 teams playing in the elite league during an extraordinary general meeting held on Saturday, March 30, 2024.
The declaration came after the 16 teams nominated Mittawa exclusively, leading to his unopposed ascension to the top position during the elections at Ufulu Gardens Hotel in the capital, Lilongwe.
The Malawi Defence Force officer has served as the acting President of SULOM since December 2023, when the incumbent President, Fleetwood Haiya, won the Football Association of Malawi (FAM)’s top seat, defeating Walter Nyamilandu.
Earlier this month, during the annual general meeting in capital Lilongwe, the executive committee attempted to make Mittawa the permanent President through a proposal, which teams felt was an ambush as it contradicted the body’s laws and constitution.
Subsequently, the delegates, led by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers board member David Kanyenda, requested an extraordinary elective general meeting.
Reacting to his declaration as President for the next three years, Mittawa stated, “We are moving forward, and the picture is clear; the foundation is very solid. From today onwards, we are just continuing with the initiatives that we have been undertaking, along with various interventions to ensure we continue to revive, reform, and rebrand.”
During the elective general meeting, Kamuzu Barracks Football Club General Secretary William Nhlane emerged as the winner over former SULOM executive committee member Charles Manyungwa and Isaac Mdindo for the executive committee member position.
The contest was intense, with Nhlane and Manyungwa tying twice with 21 votes each initially, and then tying again with 24 votes each in the second attempt. The tie was eventually broken in the third attempt, with Nhlane securing 26 votes against Manyungwa’s 22.
After his victory, Nhlane expressed, “I am still cooling down; it was very hot there. But all in all, I am excited and thankful to those who voted for me. To those who did not vote for me, it was their choice, and we will still work together.”
Reflecting on his vision, Nhlane added, “Coming from a club background, I see some transition in the past two years in football, with new modes of communication and administration. My goal is to be part of that change.”
Madalitso Kuyera, FAM First Vice President who observed the elections, described them as conducted in a free and fair manner.
He congratulated Mittawa for being declared permanent SULOM President for the next three years and Nhlane for being elected as a committee member.
“As FA, we are pleased that the structure at SULOM is now fully established. With this structure, we believe they will assist us in transforming the game, aligning with FAM’s motto of Revive, Reform, and Rebrand,” Kuyera remarked.
William Nhlane has filled the executive committee member post, which became vacant after Daudi Mtanthiko ascended to the Football Association of Malawi Executive Committee in December last year.