Sports
Malawi Moves To Employ Local Coach
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM), has said that plans are under way to have a local coach in charge of the national team within three months.
The policy is a U-turn by FAM, who had stated that it wanted to install an expatriate coach to replace Kinnah Phiri, who was sacked last month.
Interim coach Edington Ng’onamo and his assistants Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi have been given until June to stake a claim to be made permanent.
“If these three coaches prove to be successful in three months’ time then there is no need to look for an expatriate coach,” said FAM president Walter Nyamirandu.
“We are a very poor association and the minister of sports has already stated that government has no money. We had hoped that if we brought in an expatriate coach, the local coaches would understudy him so that they could eventually take over.
“But now we are going to fast-track the process.”
FAM announced the sacking of Phiri and the entire Malawi technical panel, together with technical director Jack Chamangwana, following the Flame’s poor showing in 2012 where they failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and for the third year running and exited the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at the quarter final stage.
But the government of Malawi, who pay national coaches, refused to terminate contracts of Phiri, his assistant Young Chimodzi and technical director Jack Chamangwana and they have since been redeployed to the Regional Sports Development Offices of the Malawi National Council of Sports.
The result is that Ng’onamo, and former internationals Mtawali and Mabedi, together with team manager Charles Manda, will stay in their roles until the end of June, instead of the end of September.
However, Nyamirandu has stated that Ng’onamo has the chance to sign a contract with government if he does well in Malawi’s three World Cup qualifiers in March and June.
Ng’onamo’s first test is on 23 March when he leads his charges against Namibia in Windhoek.
“I am committed to the Flames job. I feel humbled to be given this position and I will do all I can to turn things around for the team”, he said.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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