Honeymoon over for non-compliant associations

The honeymoon for non-compliant sports associations on operational guidelines is now over as Malawi National Council of Sports board has approved stern measures.

A letter from the council addressed to its member associations says Sports Council conducted a sports leadership training for National Sports Associations (NSAs) in Lilongwe last month.

Reads the letter signed by the council’s acting chief executive officer Ivy Kondowe-Chinangwa: “The training strengthened the capacity of sports leaders in governance, compliance, accountability, leadership responsibilities and the requirements governing registration and continued recognition of NSAs by the council.

“Following the training and a subsequent compliance assessment, recommendations were submitted to the council board for consideration. I am pleased to inform you that the board considered and approved the recommendations, subject to measures intended to safeguard athletes, ensure procedural fairness, and manage the legal, operational and reputational risks associated with the compliance process.”

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The letter further states that the board has accordingly directed council’s management to commence implementation of the following measures:

“The NSAs assessed as compliant shall retain their registration and recognition by the council.

“The associations without a fully functioning secretariat shall be required to establish and operationalise a functional secretariat within a period to be communicated by the council. A functional secretariat is essential for effective administration, records management, communication, financial accountability, and continuity of operations.”

It also states that partially compliant associations shall be granted a final period of two months to address the identified compliance gaps and submit evidence of corrective action to the council.

The letter further reads: “Associations that fail to rectify outstanding deficiencies within the prescribed period shall be subject to commencement of the applicable deregistration process, in accordance with the relevant requirements.

“The associations assessed as non-compliant shall be served with a Notice of Intention to Deregister, providing 30 days within which to address the identified compliance requirements or show cause why deregistration should not proceed. The Notice shall specify the outstanding requirements and the evidence required to demonstrate compliance.”

It further says where an association remains non-compliant following expiry of the applicable notice period and consideration of any response submitted, the council shall proceed with the deregistration process in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Council says any deregistration decision shall 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 shall cease to enjoy the recognition accorded to registered National Sports Associations by the Council, including access to council support and authority to represent Malawi in the capacity of a recognised National Sports Association.

“A deregistered association may, subject to applicable requirements, reapply for registration once it has satisfactorily addressed the identified deficiencies.

It further says the compliance and deregistration process is directed at institutional governance and compliance failures and is not intended to penalise athletes.

Recognising the potential impact of governance challenges on athletes and continuity of sporting programmes, Council shall put in place appropriate measures to protect athletes and minimise disruption.

The Council remains committed to working with associations to strengthen governance and build a more accountable, effective, and athlete-centred sports system in Malawi.

In an interview, Sports Council board chairperson Jim Kalua said: “We have done everything to train associations on governance, compliance, accountability, leadership responsibilities and requirements.

“It is now time to move forward by walking the talk. We will ensure that we help the associations that are struggling to meet the requirements within the set timeframe. Otherwise the non-compliant ones will be deregistered,” he said.

So far, the associations that have met the guidelines in full are athletics, basketball, cricket, chess, football, netball, darts, disability Sport (Deaflympics, Special Olympics and Paralympic), E-Sport, golf, hodkey, judo, karate, Malawi Olympic Committee, Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board, triathlon, public universities and staff, rugby, volleyball and wishu.

Those yet to meet any of the requirements are baseball and soft ball, canoeing, droughts, gendaball, kendo, korfball, parachute, shooting and lawn tennis.

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