FCB Nyasa Bullets and Silver Strikers have faulted a Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Player Status Committee ruling on the player transfer and ownership case involving striker Hassan Kajoke.
Headed by FAM executive member Felister Dossi, the committee on Wednesday delivered a 27-page ruling that ordered Kajoke, who signed for Silver while on contract with Bullets, to pay back the K3.9 million signing-on fee and a fine of K200 000.
Silver, on the other hand, have been fined K900 000 for player tapping. The club risks being barred from signing players for the next two transfer windows if it does not honour the fine.
Further, Kajoke’s manager Ken Mvula, who facilitated the controversial deal, has been fined K500 000.
However, Bullets chief administration manager Albert Chigoga in an interview on Thursday said the verdict is a miscarriage of justice.
He said: “We are very dissatisfied with it. How on earth would you let people involved in the inducement of the player under contract with another club go scot-free? Is this not promoting impunity?
“The judgement hasn’t found our club in the wrong, yet we are denied the right to use our player until he repays in full money given as a token of inducement.
“How did FAM Player Status Committee fail to see an act of inducement when Silver paid a player which the judgement clearly found Silver to have acted inappropriately?
“The committee had an opportunity to straighten out things, but that opportunity has been fluffed. This is an embarrassing judgement.”
In the judgement, Silver were found guilty of contravening FAM Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players Article 24 (e).
Chigoga said the Lilongwe-based giants should have been given a stiffer punishment.
He said: “The actual fine for player inducement, according to the regulations is K500 and not K900 000.
“In my opinion, as well as reading the judgement carefully, Silver has paid a higher fine because their offence was more than player tapping.
“In any case therefore, Silver was supposed to be given unconditional ban from transfers. Additionally, Kajoke was not supposed to be suspended from football.”
“Silver is not supposed to be refunded as a lesson for its underhanded conduct of inducement. Player inducement elsewhere is a serious offence.”
But Silver company secretary Peter Masiye said Silver did not deserve the K900 000 fine.
He said: “We are not satisfied with the fact that we have been fined to pay K900 000 when we had shown the committee the evidence that it was Mr. Kajoke and his manager who approached us and lied to us that he is a free agent.”
Masiye also called for FAM to regulate players’ managers to avoid transfer wrangles.
He said: “Going forward we will never trust the player managers or players themselves alone. We will do more due diligence by checking if the player is a free agent or not with FAM.
Youth empowerment in action: Judith Msusa applauds success of Business Acceleration for Youth Project By Burnett Munthali, November The Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Judith Msusa, has expressed her satisfaction with the impact of the Business Acceleration for Youth (BAY) project, describing it as a transformative initiative for empowering Malawian youth economically. Msusa commended the project during a visit to some grant beneficiaries who have successfully turned their ventures into thriving enterprises. Speaking during her visit, Msusa lauded the program for equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools they need to enhance their livelihoods. "The government is impressed with the youth who, through this initiative, have been able to increase their revenue streams. This not only enables them to live decent lives but also positions them as job creators for their peers," she said. Msusa emphasized the project's role in fostering a generation of self-reliant, innovative, and economically active young people. Adding to Msusa's sentiments, David Slane, Chief of Party for the project, expressed his own delight at the progress made. "It’s rewarding to see these young individuals demonstrating tangible successes as a result of this support. They are living proof of what is possible when young people are given the right opportunities and resources," said Slane. The three-year BAY project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is being implemented by the Alliance of Biodiversity International and the Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Focused on the districts of Zomba, Balaka, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa, Machinga, and Mangochi, the project aims to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among youth by providing grants, mentorship, and technical assistance. During the visit, several beneficiaries shared their inspiring stories of transformation. One of them, a poultry farmer from Mangochi, recounted how the project’s financial and technical support helped her scale her business, enabling her to employ two additional workers. Another young entrepreneur in Zomba, specializing in agro-processing, highlighted how mentorship from the project helped him navigate market challenges and significantly increase his revenue. These testimonials reflect the project's profound impact on communities. Beyond financial gains, the BAY initiative is helping youth build confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose, all of which are critical for sustaining long-term economic growth. As Malawi grapples with high unemployment rates among the youth, the BAY project stands out as a beacon of hope. With continued support from USAID and partners, the initiative could serve as a model for youth empowerment not only in Malawi but across the region. Msusa’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to supporting programs that align with its broader vision of reducing poverty and unemployment. "The youth are the backbone of our nation," Msusa concluded. "Projects like BAY remind us of their untapped potential and the immense possibilities that emerge when we invest in them strategically." The success of the BAY project serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector in addressing pressing societal challenges.
