Africa-Press – Malawi. Flames legend Lawrence Waya got a rare recognition for his spectacular service to Malawi’s football fraternity. Waya, who is Malawi’s second joint top goal scorer after leading goal-scorer Kinnah Phiri, received a certificate and K500,000 cheque from Football Association of Malawi (Fam) on the sidelines of the association’s annual general meeting at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima District on Saturday.
Fam President Walter Nyamilandu told the association’s website that Waya deserves the special recognition. “For Lawrence, he is a legend. To me he is the best player the country has ever produced and we thought of recognising him as he is still alive,” Nyamilandu is quoted as saying.
Waya hailed Fam for the recognition. “It feels good to be here and witness while I am alive and I would like to urge Fam to do the same to more legends out there,” said Waya, who is Malawi’s fourth most capped player with 132 caps.
He scored 27 goals for Malawi in 132 matches whereas Kinnah Phiri is Malawi’s leading goal-scorer with 71 goals. Waya played for Malawi between 1981 and 1996. Fam also honoured outgoing Technical Director John Kaputa and Referees Development Officer Maxwell Mtonga, who are both retiring on Wednesday.
“They have sacrificed a lot to the game. Kaputa and Mtonga were loyal servants of the game and Fam. They deserved a ceremonial farewell,” Nyamilandu told Fam’s website.
“Kaputa has played a big role in laying youth football development and coaching structures. Mtonga has groomed a lot of top referees and we will continue to use them in our projects.”
Fam has already advertised the post of technical director (TD) and referee’s development officer. A total of 11 people have expressed interest in the post of TD.
