By Chisomo Phiri
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has condemned the treatment of Lilongwe City Mayor,Alex Banda, during the 2026 NBS Charity Shield trophy presentation ceremony held at Bingu National Stadium(BNS) in Lilongwe on Saturday.
In a statement signed by Secretary for Youth, Sports and Culture, Jameson Ndalama, the Ministry has expressed profound shock and disbelief over the incident, in which the Mayor who was also the host of the national event was reportedly removed from the podium by officials from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) during the prize presentation.
The Ministry describes the act as highly unprofessional and unacceptable, noting that it undermined not only the office of the Mayor but also disrespected the people of Lilongwe and the Government of Malawi.
“A football event, especially one meant for charity, should promote unity and respect, not serve as a platform for arrogance,” the statement reads in part.
The Ministry has further characterized the actions of the FAM officials involved as a serious breach of protocol, particularly given that the event took place in the capital city and carried national significance.
As a result, the Ministry has demanded that FAM issue a formal written apology to the Mayor and the Lilongwe City Council (LCC).
It has also directed the association to submit a comprehensive report within 48 hours detailing the sequence of events, identifying those responsible, and explaining the reasons behind the incident.
Additionally, FAM has been instructed to take immediate disciplinary action against those involved to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
While acknowledging FAM’s role in managing football in Malawi, the Ministry stresses that adherence to protocol and respect for public officials remain essential.
The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to working with FAM to develop the sport but warned that it would not tolerate conduct that brings the game, its administrators, or the country into disrepute.
