Tag Archives: Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya

Sports

Malawi FA President Haiya calls for corporate support to revamp MDC Stadium

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President of the Football Association of Malawi, Fleetwood Haiya, has revealed plans to rehabilitate MDC Stadium, a key sports facility located in Chilomoni Township in the city of Blantyre.

Haiya said there is a strong and compelling reason for the stadium to undergo renovations so that it can once again serve the sporting community effectively.

He emphasized that the current state of the facility calls for urgent attention.

According to Haiya, the association has already set aside special funds aimed specifically at upgrading the stadium.

The financial commitment, he explained, demonstrates FAM’s seriousness in restoring the venue to acceptable standards.

MDC Stadium has long been an important ground for various sporting activities, especially football.

However, like many aging facilities across the country, it now requires significant improvements to meet modern demands.

Haiya has therefore extended an open invitation to well wishers and companies of goodwill to partner with FAM in the renovation exercise.

He believes that collaboration with the private sector will speed up the transformation process.

He further explained that companies willing to invest in the project will not do so blindly.

Instead, there will be clear agreements outlining how profits and benefits will be shared once the stadium becomes fully operational.

The FAM president stressed that transparency will guide every partnership formed under this initiative. Investors will have a mutual understanding with the association regarding how much return they can expect from their contribution.

Such a development would not only benefit athletes but also boost local economic activity around Chilomoni. Small businesses and vendors are likely to gain from increased traffic whenever matches and events are held.

Haiya reiterated that improving infrastructure is key to developing sports standards in Malawi. Without proper facilities, he said, it becomes difficult for players and teams to reach their full potential.

The planned facelift of MDC Stadium also aligns with FAM’s wider agenda of strengthening football structures across the country.

District News, Sports

Malawi FA President Haiya’s vision on truck over national league success

Maravi Post Reporter

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE—(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has successfully delivered on a key manifesto promise with the completion of the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League (NDL).

The competition, which concluded on Sunday, January 10, 2026, at Balaka Stadium, saw Red Lions crowned champions after a season that exceeded expectations in terms of organization and quality of play.

From Campaign Promise to Reality
Ahead of the December 2023 FAM elections, Haiya emphasized the need for a competitive National Division League to ensure teams promoted to the elite TNM Super League were better prepared for top-flight football.

The proposal faced skepticism, with critics questioning whether FAM and participating clubs had the resources to sustain such a competition.

However, after Haiya defeated incumbent Walter Nyamilandu in the elections, he immediately began pursuing the vision.

The breakthrough came when NBS Bank committed MK320 million to sponsor the league, providing the financial foundation needed to launch the competition.

Twelve Teams, High Standards
The inaugural season featured 12 teams: three relegated from the 2024 Super League (Baka City, Bangwe All Stars, and FOMO FC) and nine from regional leagues.

The Central Region Football Association contributed Mchinji Villa, Mitundu Baptist, and Namitete Zitha. The Northern region was represented by Chintheche United, Chilumba Barracks, and Jenda United, while Ndirande Stars, Ntaja United, and Red Lions flew the flag for the South.

The competition delivered compelling football throughout the season, with teams maintaining professionalism both on and off the pitch.

Mitundu Baptist took an early lead at the top of the table, powered by striker Rahim Mtondera’s remarkable form.

The forward scored three hat-tricks in the opening rounds and finished as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals.

However, as the season progressed, Red Lions from Zomba gained momentum and eventually overtook Mitundu Baptist to claim the title.

In their final fixture on Sunday, Red Lions secured the championship with a 1-1 draw against Baka City, finishing on 47 points from 27 matches.

Mitundu Baptist defeated Mchinji Villa 2-1 at Malili to claim second place with 41 points, while Baka City finished third on 40 points.

All three teams have been promoted to the TNM Super League for the 2026 season.

At the opposite end of the table, Mchinji Villa, Jenda United, Chilumba Barracks, and Chintheche United finished in the bottom four and have been relegated to their respective regional leagues.

Speaking after the final matches, FAM President Haiya praised the secretariat for delivering a well-organized competition.

“The league has been run fairly without major issues. All teams played an equal number of games per week,” Haiya said.

Haiya also acknowledged NBS Bank’s crucial role in making the competition possible.

“Let me recognize NBS Bank, who believed in this dream and filled the gap that existed in Malawian football”, he added.

NBS Bank Chief Operations Officer Shadreck Chikusilo expressed satisfaction with the inaugural season and indicated the bank’s willingness to continue the partnership.

“We are impressed with how the inaugural season unfolded. We will sit down with FAM to map the way forward and discuss the future of this competition,” Chikusilo said.

The successful completion of the NDL represents a significant step forward for Malawian football, creating a more structured pathway for teams aspiring to compete at the highest level while providing young players with a competitive platform to develop their careers.

Malawi, Opinion, Sports

Malawi FA President Haiya’s two years in office: Measuring promises against performance

Shaffie A Mtambo

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive committee has now completed two years at the helm of Malawian football under the presidency of Fleetwood Haiya, who was elected into office in 2023 on a reform driven manifesto titled “Transforming the Game.” the weekend sports mirror offers a timely opportunity to reflect on what has worked, what is still in progress and where questions remain.

Haiya came into office with bold promises centred on technical development, transparency, grassroots growth and the overall professionalisation of football administration.

Two years later, some of those pledges have materialised in visible and measurable ways, while others remain a work in progress.

One of the clearest successes of the Haiya administration has been in technical capacity building, particularly in refereeing. Regular referee training courses have been rolled out across the country, helping to improve officiating standards and creating a more consistent pool of match officials for domestic competitions.

This focus on referees directly aligns with Haiya’s manifesto, which emphasised strengthening coaching and officiating as the foundation of football development.

Observers note that while controversies still occur, the overall competence and confidence of referees has improved compared to previous seasons.

Another major milestone has been the revival and strengthening of women’s football through the reintroduction of the National Women’s Football League. This league has given female players consistent competition, exposure and structure that had long been missing.

The impact of this investment has been felt at national level, where the Malawi Women’s National Team, the Scorchers, has shown significant improvement. A stronger domestic league has translated into a deeper and more competitive national team pool.

Perhaps the most notable achievement for the Scorchers under Haiya’s leadership has been qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This success did not come by accident but through deliberate planning and frequent international friendly matches.

The Haiya administration made a conscious effort to secure regular friendly games for the Scorchers, a move that boosted match fitness, tactical understanding and confidence. As a result, Malawi’s women now compete with belief against some of the continent’s strongest sides.

On the domestic front, the introduction of the NBS National Division League stands out as another key reform. The league provides a competitive bridge between regional football and the elite TNM Super League.

Through this structure, three teams earn promotion to the top flight league each season, enhancing competitiveness and giving ambitious clubs a clearer development pathway. This initiative reflects Haiya’s manifesto promise to strengthen league structures nationwide.

Grassroots and school football development was another pillar of the Haiya vision. Although progress here has been slower, partnerships with schools sports bodies and district structures have begun laying the groundwork for future talent identification and nurturing.

However, not all areas paint a rosy picture. The Malawi Men’s National Team, the Flames, remains a concern. Performances have been inconsistent, with the team oscillating between impressive wins and disappointing defeats.

When Haiya took office, the Flames were ranked 136th on the FIFA rankings. Two years on, the team has climbed to 126th, showing numerical improvement but still failing to convince consistently on the pitch.

Critics argue that while the ranking rise is positive, it does not fully reflect stability or long term progress. Tactical inconsistency, squad transitions and limited high quality international exposure continue to haunt the Flames.

Governance and transparency were central to Haiya’s campaign message.

While FAM has made efforts to improve accountability and communication, some stakeholders still call for greater public disclosure of finances and decision making processes.

Overall, the Haiya presidency presents a mixed but encouraging picture.

Women’s football, refereeing standards, and league restructuring stand out as success stories, while the Flames an remain unresolved challenge.

Sports

Malawi FA increases subvention for associations’ membership

Maravi Post Reporter

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In line with Transforming the game Agenda, the Malawi Football governing body has increased subvention for its Member Associations (MAs) to MK40 million from MK30 million per year, representing a 33 percent hike.

This was agreed during the budget consultative meeting that the association held with its member associations at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on 29th November, 2025.

This was the second time FAM held the consultative meeting before the commencement of the Financial Year which runs from January to December. Last year, the meeting also took place at BNS.

Among other things, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya announced a MK11.8 billion revenue budget.

FAM is expected to spend MK14.6 billion, representing a 37 % increase from the current year’s MK10.6 billion, projected to December 2025.

FAM projected revenue budget will be funded by the Malawi Government, Sale of Merchandise, Television and Broadcasting Rights, Annual subvention from Confederations of African Football (CAF), sponsors partnership with the corporate world and FIFA.

The FAM Executive Committee which met the following day approved the budget which is expected to be approved by a FAM Extra Ordinary Annual General Meeting before the start of the year.

Haiya also highlighted that the seven key objectives for the year 2026.

The objectives include the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames participation in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, WAFCON which will act as Women’s World Cup Qualifiers for the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers and the World Cup Qualifiers for Under-20 Women’s National Team.

Furthermore, Qualifiers for the CAF competition for Junior Teams, Grassroots and Youth Football Development Programs.

On behalf of all Member Associations, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) General Secretary Antonio Manda hailed FAM for promoting transparency in the formulation of the budget.

“The meeting was extremely important as it provided a platform for all members to engage with FAM on key financial priorities for upcoming season.

“0It allowed us as Member Associations to collectively asses resource allocation, identify areas requiring strategic investment and ensure that the budget aligns with it will improve competition management by ensuring quality officiation, logistics and match organisation,” said Manda.

The budget consultative meeting is an annual session where FAM meets the Member Associations to present the following year’s draft budget, solicit views and align with FAM’s plans with its members.

Sports

Malawi FA, Ministry push for stronger football governance

Shaffie A Mtambo

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) officials, led by President Fleetwood Haiya, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskes at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.

The meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration for the development of football in Malawi.

In her opening remarks, Minister Wiskes commended FAM for its efforts in promoting football across the country.

She emphasized the importance of synergy among key stakeholders to advance the sport.

“There is need for FAM, the Malawi National Council of Sports and the Ministry to pull in the same direction to achieve more in football,” she said.

Wiskes urged FAM to uphold integrity in all its operations, promoting sportsmanship and ensuring that football remains a clean and respected sport.

The Minister also highlighted the potential for combining sports and cultural activities during match events, especially at halftime, noting that this could enhance fan engagement and create a more vibrant match-day experience.

FAM President Fleetwood Haiya provided an overview of the association’s structure, activities, funding sources and strategic plans for the future.

Haiya disclosed that FAM faces financial challenges, including outstanding debts of about K600 million that need to be cleared to allow smooth operations.

“We have received K1.4 billion from government this financial year, mainly directed at our senior national teams, but the debts remain a major concern,” Haiya added.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS), Ivy Chinangwa, praised FAM for its governance standards and compliance.

“FAM is a model of integrity, accountability and transparency among the 48 associations registered under MNCS,” Chinangwa said, adding that the association sets a benchmark for others to follow.

The meeting concluded with a call for strengthened partnerships among FAM, the Ministry and MNCS to professionalize football further and maximize its impact on youth development and community engagement.

Officials from FAM, MNCS, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture were all in attendance, reaffirming a shared commitment to the growth and governance of football in Malawi.

Sports

“Judge my ability in 2027”-Malawi FA president Haiya dares critics

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has issued a bold challenge to his critics, urging them to stop hiding behind what he describes as smear campaigns and instead face him in the ballot during the 2027 FAM elections.

Haiya made the remarks in an interview with the MaraviPost Publication, where he expressed concern over the increasing spread of what he calls “fake news” aimed at damaging his image and creating unnecessary divisions within the football fraternity.

According to Haiya, a specific group of football stakeholders has been relentlessly pushing misinformation with the aim of undermining the progress achieved under his administration.He argued that despite the noise, the results on the ground speak for themselves.

“As far as we are concerned, we are doing the right thing for our football and the results are evidence of this fact,” Haiya said.

“We are not sidelining anybody and these lies are being created by a certain group and we know their end game,”he added.

He went further to warn his detractors against using political tactics to influence football matters, saying that the sport should remain neutral and focused on development rather than personal agendas.

“They should not be hiding behind politics and spreading false news.Let them come out in the open. If they want to contest, or their proxies, let us meet in 2027,”he explained.

Haiya’s remarks come at a time when debates over football leadership and administrative transparency have intensified, especially following the recent success of the Malawi women’s national football team, the Scorchers.

The FAM president has also dismissed claims that he is sidelining National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) President Adelaide Migogo, describing the allegations as baseless and misleading.

The accusations were fueled by a voice note released on social media by Isaac Jomo Osman, owner of Kukoma Ntopwa Women FC, who alleged that Haiya had stolen the spotlight from Migogo after the Scorchers qualified for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Haiya, however, insisted that his administration fully respects the structures of women’s football and that no individual efforts were being overshadowed.

He said the Scorchers’ success belongs to the nation and not to any single person.

He also urged football stakeholders to focus on sustaining the momentum behind women’s football rather than promoting divisions that could derail progress.

Regional, Sports

“Scorchers will go to Morocco to compete, not to experiment”-assures Malawi FA President Haiya

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya says the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, will travel to Morocco with a clear mission to compete at the highest level rather than to merely test their capabilities.

Addressing journalists during a media briefing, Haiya said FAM has ensured that the team undergoes thorough preparations, including arranging targeted friendly matches to strengthen tactical cohesion and readiness ahead of the upcoming WAFCON tournament.

He further disclosed that FAM is working on introducing a Four Nations Tournament, which is expected to become a permanent feature of the Scorchers’ long-term development agenda.

Dates for the tournament and participating nations will be announced once consultations are finalized.

Haiya explained that the tournament will give the team consistent international engagement, helping Malawi to maintain competitive form beyond the qualifiers.

The FAM president extended his appreciation to government institutions and development partners for their financial and logistical support, saying the assistance has enabled the Scorchers to meet crucial qualification requirements.

He also applauded the media for continuously promoting women’s football by ensuring that the Scorchers’ achievements are well covered, a move he said helps motivate the players and increase public support.

The Scorchers secured their spot at WAFCON after defeating Angola 2–0 in a decisive qualifier played at Bingu National Stadium on 28 October 2025, a result Haiya described as a historic step in Malawi’s women’s football journey.

Haiya said he is delighted with the team’s continuous progress, noting that since the Scorchers’ formation in 1998, there has been steady improvement, culminating in consistent appearances in major qualification campaigns.

Two of the teams that Malawi faced during the WAFCON qualifiers are expected to participate in the upcoming Four-Nations Tournament, giving the Scorchers an opportunity to evaluate their strength against familiar opponents.

According to Haiya, one of FAM’s key ambitions is to guide the Scorchers toward qualifying for the Women’s World Cup and eventually achieving a top finish at WAFCON.

He added that these objectives are attainable with discipline, planning, and sustained investment.

Haiya also reported that FAM has fulfilled 98% of its targets for 2025 but admitted that securing sponsorship for beach soccer remains a challenge.

However, he confirmed that discussions with a potential sponsor are currently underway.

He clarified that although securing sponsorship is not solely the association’s responsibility, FAM is committed to finalizing all ongoing negotiations to ensure all football disciplines grow.

Responding to questions about the Flames’ performance, Haiya said the men’s national team has achieved its 2025 target by improving its FIFA ranking from 134 to 128, adding that further improvements are expected with continued effort.

He concluded by saying that the Scorchers’ technical panel should not feel pressured by the WAFCON targets.

Instead, he said the expectations should serve as motivation for the players and staff as they work toward realizing the dream of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.

Sports

Haiya pumps MK25m into Northern Region Football League

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In a bold move to strengthen grassroots football in Malawi, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya has announced a MK25 million sponsorship for the Northern Region Football League.

The funds, which are part of Haiya’s annual $50,000 honorarium from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reflect his personal commitment to reinvest the money back into football development, particularly at grassroots level.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony,in Blantyre,Haiya emphasized that the sponsorship is not about personal gain but rather about uplifting the sport and ensuring equal development across all regions.

“When the Northern Region Football Association approached me through His Majesty Paramount Chief Mbelwa, I felt compelled to act,” said Haiya.

“We believe this money will help unearth hidden talent in the North, improve competitiveness, and eventually contribute to a stronger national team.”

Haiya noted that last year he also channeled K15 million to youth football and reiterated that his CAF earnings will continue to fill gaps in regional football where there’s no corporate backing.

However, he cautioned the Northern Region Football Association not to become complacent but rather work towards securing long-term sponsorship partnerships.

Paramount Chief Mbelwa V, who played a key role in initiating the sponsorship conversation, expressed his gratitude to Haiya and praised the initiative.

“We started this league without a sponsor. Through my personal appeal to President Haiya, today we are witnessing something historic,” he said.

“This gesture will go a long way in supporting youth and elevating our players to the national stage,”he added.

He also called on the corporate sector to come forward and complement the effort.

“Finding sponsorship is hard. Now that we have this, we must use it wisely. I urge the Northern Region Football Association to be accountable and transparent,” Mbelwa explained.

Meanwhile, Northern Region Football Association Chairperson Masiya Nyasulu described the development as a huge morale booster.

“We have gone years without a stable sponsor. Last year, we managed to secure support from local businessmen, but this injection of K25 million from FAM is a game changer,” he said.

Nyasulu further appealed to well-wishers and businesses to partner with them, noting that while the K25 million is welcome, it may not cover all operational costs.

“We’re aiming for at least K50 million to fully support all 16 teams and administrative functions. Already, K7 million of the current funds is allocated to uniforms for all teams, and we plan to invest the rest in equipment and league operations,” he said.

The initiative by Haiya is a continuation of FAM’s decentralization strategy, which includes setting up regional offices and employing full-time administrators to manage grassroots development. If gaps persist in sponsorship for other regions or categories like youth and women’s football, Haiya affirmed that his CAF honorarium will continue to be used strategically to address those areas.

Malawi, Sports

Chakwera aids MK50m towards Flames’ 2025 COSAFA tourney participation

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has donated MK50 million the Flames towards their participation at then ongoing 2025 Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

A statement from State House says the support follows a meeting the President had with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Chakwera wished the Malawi National Football Team all the best as they take on Lesotho in their first Group B match.

“During the meeting, His Excellency the President also accepted Mr. Haiya’s invitation for the President to serve as Patron for the Malawi Flames and Scorchers going forward, a role in which President Chakwera will lead and rally the nation in rendering moral, monetary, and material support for the two national teams,” reads the statement.

The Flames left the country on Wednesday for this year’s COSAFA Senior men’s championship.

Malawi has never won the cup since its inception in 1997.

Sports

Munthali breaks silence on his relationship with FA President Haiya

Maravi Post Reporter

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Former National Youth Football Association Chairperson and Football Association of Malawi Executive Committee Member, Chimango Munthali has broken his silence regarding his relationship with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya.

The sports community, including various administrators, has been speculating that the two are not in good terms despite their joint victory in the FA December elections in Mzuzu.

Munthali was a close ally of former FA President Walter Nyamilandu during his last two terms in office, sharing many significant moments together.

During the electoral process, the National Youth Football Association did not nominate Fleetwood Haiya, instead supporting the incumbent President Nyamilandu. However, in the December elections, Haiya defeated Nyamilandu by a landslide at Mzuzu’s Sunbird Hotel. Contrary to what many expected, Munthali also secured a seat on the executive committee.

The journey of transforming the game began under Haiya and his team, with people speculating behind their backs about their relationship. However, in a recent interview on TIME TV’s “Mtedza Mtedza” hosted by Peter Fote, Munthali clarified that there are no misunderstandings between him and President Haiya.

“Firstly, let me say that Haiya is a gentleman because defeating Walter Nyamilandu wasn’t as simple as many might have thought. Secondly, we have a very good working relationship. When I am given a role, I perform it professionally and report to the President,” said Munthali.

“I believe in telling the truth. During the elections, I met Haiya, wished him all the best, but told him I was supporting Walter Nyamilandu. Haiya has a passion for the sport and I appreciate his intent to promote women’s football. That’s great.”

“Nyamilandu gave me the opportunity to grow in football administration and still provides guidance when necessary. Elections are long over; it’s time to work for the game’s development. My relationship with Fleetwood Haiya is great; he knew my stance before the elections,” Munthali told Fote.

President Fleetwood Haiya and Chimango Munthali were recently seen together with happy faces during the HTD Beach Soccer finals in Mangochi District.