Haiya beats Tiya to win Sulom Presidency

By Antony Isaiah Jr:…….
……He calls for collaboration to rebrand Malawi’s Elite League…..

Nyasa Big Bullets Vice-President, Fleetwood Haiya has been elected the President of the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) after comfortably flailing Tiya Somba Banda.

Haiya who promised to revive, reform and rebrand the Malawi’s Elite League has managed to convince the majority of the affiliates to win the elections held at the Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi by 62.5 per cent as he got 30 votes while Tiya Somba Banda who was defending the position got 18.

Making his acceptance speech, Haiya has appealed for collaboration with the Football fraternity, Football Association of Malawi, Malawi National Council of Sports and Government with the aim of developing the Country’s elite League.

“Let me hasten to say that there is no winner and no loser in this election,” said Haiya. “Everyone is a winner in his own right as we all have one goal, to develop the Super League into a viable professional entity.”

Fleetwood Haiya served as a member of finance Committee of Big Bullets before working as a Chief Executive Officer for the Club in 2018.

Fleetwood is among the individuals who managed to turn around the financial crisis of the Club, from perennial beggers to one of the most successful Clubs in the Country and beyond and the Club has wished him all the best as he takes on his new responsibility.

“Allow me to also thank the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) and the Government for the tireless support towards the Super League. We look forward to more collaboration and support as we rebrand our elite league. My appreciation extends to our proud sponsor TNM Plc for the continued support to our league. Without them the league would not be of any significance,” added Haiya.

Meanwhile, Haiya has requested all the winners who have been entrusted by the Clubs to push in the same way despite the different podiums that the campaigned for.

He said, “We all need to push into the same direction for SULOM to make headway as an administrator of a quality league not only in the region but on the whole continent. I wish to make a solemn promise to serve every club without discrimination, notwithstanding the different views expressed during the campaign trail. We live in a democratic world and diversity is key. I also wish to urge all clubs to work as one and bring to fruition the aspirations that we have all bred over this period.”

In other positions, Vice President Col. Gilbert Mitawa and General Secretary, Williams Banda have retained their positions as they beat David Kanyenda and Thocco Chimbali respectively.

Reacting to the results, Chimbali who is a former Silver Strikers Chief Executive Officer accepted the defeat saying his fellow contender had won it deservedly.

The incumbent Vice General Secretary Major Flao Mwale has been defeated by Donnex Chilonga while Allie Mwachande wins the Sulom treasure unopposed as Malinda Chinyama who was defending the position withdrew his candidature just days before the elections.

Blue Eagles Vice General Secretary Solomon Mchawi has been elected as Sulom’ Legal Advisor, replacing Wisdom Kadam’manja.

On committee members, Charles Manyungwa has lost his position, with several new faces completing the committee.

Chimwemwe Nyirenda and Henry Banda have retained their Committee Members positions, with Daud Mtanthiko, Ronald Chiwaula and Akudzike Kafwamba being the new faces as Sulom Committee Members.