Some local football clubs have admitted that they sign and register players without proper medical check-up, thereby putting the lives of athletes at risk.
Our investigations at all the 16 Super League teams have revealed that most teams completely ignore the medical tests.
Out of the 16 teams only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers conduct medical tests for players before a season starts.
During our investigations, we talked to at least five senior players from each of the 16 Super League teams.
The majority of the players confessed that the medical tests are done for the sake of it.
“Some of us just go for physical exercise during pre-season. It is not a proper medical test,” said one player, who spoke on a condition of anonymity.
The investigations also revealed that clubs also submit ‘fake’ medical reports of players to Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and Football Association of Malawi (Fam) for registration before the start of a season.
This happens due to lack of strict compliance measures in domestic football.
“Sometimes, the teams just go to clinics and have our forms stamped. We do not know what exactly happens during a serious medical test,” another player said.
The investigation revealed that clubs have not invested much in medical conditions of players.
Despite the majority of the local clubs having qualified medical practitioners, the teams rarely involve the medical department on the transfers.
Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi said the club follows all proper medical procedures.
“Before we sign a player, the medical department makes an assessment. If we find that the player has a small issue, we go ahead [with signing the player] based on doctors’ recommendation,” Ndovi said.
On his part, Kamuzu Barracks General Secretary Albert Midian said, as a military team, it has proper medical facilities to conduct tests.
“We do not take chances on medical tests. We do not want to sign a liability,” Midian said.
In domestic football, no player has failed a medical test, an indication that no proper medical tests are conducted.
Karonga United General Secretary Ramsy Simwaka also said his side is strict on medical tests.
“I remember we failed to sign a Zimbabwean player [name withheld] due to injury after a proper medical assessment,” Simwaka said.
Taking his turn, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos Chief Executive Officer Flera Chimango Kulemero said all procedures are followed.
“We involve the team doctors and get a medical report for submission to Sulom for registration,” Kulemero said.
Fam Club Licencing and Compliance Manager Casper Jangale insisted it is mandatory for clubs to conduct medical tests before a new season.
“Medical tests for all the players prior to the season are mandatory. Whether medical is done or not is a subject for another day,” Jangale said.
Last week, Zambian club Red Arrows terminated the contract of Flames attacker Peter Banda due to injury.
In Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, players undergo thorough medical tests before being registered.
According to medical doctor Kamponda Masiye, the majority of local clubs prefer taking short-cuts.
“It is a big problem in Malawi. Clubs have ended up signing injured players. Despite the fact that some clubs have qualified medical doctors, they do not have specialists. The clubs need to invest in the medical department,” Masiye said.
According to www.goal.com, cardiac screening, blood and general fitness checks are important parts of medical tests. Urine samples are collected to detect issues such as diabetes.
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