The Government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, has condemned the treatment of Lilongwe City Mayor Peter Banda during the 2026 NBS Charity Shield trophy presentation at Bingu National Stadium.
In a press statement issued on April 18, 2026, the Ministry described the incident as “unprofessional and unacceptable,” after the mayor was reportedly removed from the podium by officials from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) during the prize presentation ceremony.
The development follows a video circulating on social media showing the mayor being pulled away from the stage while winners were receiving their trophy, reportedly over claims that his attire did not match the event.
The Ministry expressed concern, stating that the actions were disrespectful not only to the mayor’s office but also to the people of Lilongwe and the Government.
“A football event, especially one meant for charity, should be a platform for unity and respect, not an avenue to display arrogance,” reads part of the statement.
The Ministry has since demanded a formal apology from FAM to the mayor and the Lilongwe City Council. It has also directed FAM to submit a detailed report within 48 hours explaining the incident and identifying those responsible.
Additionally, the Ministry has called for immediate disciplinary action against those involved to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Secretary for Youth, Sports and Culture, Jameson W. Ndalama, emphasized that while the government values FAM’s role in developing football, respect for public officials and adherence to protocol must be upheld.
