Angling Society of Malawi

J. Balarin reported that it had been a historic year for ASOM in that for the 1st time a true International angling competition had been held in Malawi and permission from MNCOS had been granted to fly the Malawi flag. He asked Henry Mereka (MNCOS) to confirm that up to 2008 any member of the affiliated clubs was permitted to fish Internationally. This was shown as an affirmative. J. Balarin and R. Hay thanked MNCOS in this regard.

J. Balarin reported a further achievement, after two years in production, ASOM had produced its 2nd document, the ASOM Rule Book. (The book was made available to members at the AGM). He proposed that members read the book and submit their comments to ASOM, which would be address at the next ASOM AGM and thereafter an updated book would be produced. He thanked all those behind the scenes who made it possible to produce the book.

J. Balarin noted that ASOM colours had not been awarded since 1989.

J. Balarin advised that a new book on angling in Malawi would be produced this year, and for the first time one account would be shown.

MATTERS ARISING:

1)	MALAWI CHAMPIONSHIPS The Chairman advised that the current situation of having 2 legs at the lake and 2 legs at the river, worked reasonably well last year, but was not entirely satisfactory. Proposals to hold one event had been received. He opened the issue to the "floor" for any suggestions, thereafter it would be up to the new ASOM Committee to decide how the Championships would be held. PROPOSALS:
	i)	A. Del Bufalo pointed out that for an angler to be worthy of the title of Malawi Champion they should have to prove they are able to fish under any conditions. He thought the current situation worked well, but suggested holding the 4 events as follows: one event at Sucoma, Salima, Chikwawa and another at the lake but not at Salima. He further stated that he would like to see a change in the amounts of fish brought in, as it favoured anglers with bigger boats who could go across to the other side of the lake.
	ii)	R. Hay noted that over the last three to four years a maximum of only 14 anglers had registered in the Championships. He proposed that the top ten SORAC anglers and the top ten LADAC anglers be eligible to participate in the event, thus making anglers earn the right to fish in the Malawi Championships. Thereafter, those anglers would fish a one-off competition at a venue to be decided. A. Del Bufalo thoguht the Championships should be open to all anglers to participate in and not limited to the "top 10" from each club.
	iii)	X. Lithgow said that the reason only 14 anglers registered was that they were the only ones who would make the effort to attend the competitions, and that the bulk of those were SORAC anglers. She suggested holding two legs, one in Salima and one in Chikwawa.
	iv)	G. Brown advised that he had wanted to participate in the 2006 Malawi Championships, but due to work commitments was unable to make the Chikwawa legs of the competition. He advised that LADAC work on a "best six" competition basis. He suggested that anglers should not be limited to fish on the two set dates, possibly their scores from any two competitions could count.
	v)	J. Sohal advised that he would rather return to the "old system" of three competitions of which anglers have to participate in two of them. He suggested one be held in Chikwawa, one in Salima and one in Bangula as a new venue.
	vi)	Z. Surtee noted that some anglers were not able to fish in Salima due to them requiring a bigger boat as opposed to the smaller boats used on the river
	vii)	A. Evans enquired as to why anglers would have to qualify for the Malawi Championships. J. Balarin advised that this was only a suggestion. A. Evans suggested a one-off competition.
	viii)	B. Clow suggested a one-off competition, which could in the first year be held in Chikwawa and the next year in Salima at a date when the fishing was good in each area. Alternating each year between the clubs so as not to favour one club. However, he was concerned that there was no start off times at LADAC and that some anglers could camp across the lake and start fishing at anytime.
	ix)	I. Bartlett noted that if an angler is to be the Malawi Champion he/she must show the ability to catch fish in both lake and river.
	x)	C. Lithgow noted that if a one-off competition is undertaken it should be at a neutral venue.
	J. Balarin noted the options put forward by the members. A. Morrison advised that for this year the Malawi Championships should remain as it ts and that at the next ASOM meeting it be brought up for discussion and a referendum be held.
2)	NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION / ZONE VI J. Balarin asked the members how the National Team should be selected. R. Hay asked if the Malawi Championships should be a contributing factor to selection on the National Team. J. Balarin advised that ASOM had been invited to join Zone VI Artlure (fising without organic bait). He advised that anglers must have the competence to fish the competition entered and that the anglers performance over the last three years would be taken into account, however the decision would be left up to the ASOM Committee. It was agreed by all members, that selection be left to the ASOM Committee. J. Balarin suggested having the top 10 river-type anglers and the top 10 lake-type anglers and select on that basis. He advised that if ASOM join the Zone VI that from this years' international anglers would have to bring in four species to the table. G. Brown noted that if ASOM move into artlure he presumed this would affect how SORAC would fish on the river. J. Balarin advised that fishing on the Zambezi is artlure. A. Del Bufalo said he would be surprised if fish were caught on artlure on the shire. B. Clow advised that anglers fish with whatever bait works for the conditions. C. Clow enquired what would happen if ASOM don't join the Zone VI. A. Morrison advised that there would be no repercussions. ASOM could however, participate in International tournaments. All the members agreed that ASOM would join Zone VI this year, and that the Lake Malawi International this year would be angled as part of Zone VI.
3)	RULE BOOK J. Balarin advised that ASOM had been successful in producing the book this yeaer, but not yet the angling book. He thanked X. Lithgow for trying to get the angling book together and asked members if they had any information to pass it on to her.
4)	TEMPLATES J. Balarin noted that as ASOM had grown templates for keeping records and accounts would be produced. He proposed having templates be make ready for the next AGM.
5)	WEBSITE J. Balarin brought up the suggestion proposed last year, that ASOM have a Website. He advised this could be done if SORAC was prepared to share the cost. X. Lithgow advised that to register the domain name was $80 and thereafter $30 per annum to maintain the site. She advised that she could design it but would not be able to do the updating thereof, someone else would have to be paid for this function. X. Lithgow suggested G. Brown could possible ask B. Brown. J. Balarin asked what was involved in the updating. X. Lithgow advised that put on new records and the newsletters each month. J. Balarin noted that all members agreed with the concept.

TREASURERS REPORT:

R. Hay advised that it had been a successful year. He presented the following information:
Income for the year: - International - Registraion (Affiliation & Mwc) Sponsorship Mwc, Rule Book Total Income		SORAC 227,520 65,500 293,020	LADAC 862,131 65,500 927,631	COMMENTS 83,278 to be collected 28,500 to be collected
Opening Balance Total Income Total Expenditure Closing Balance	187,550 1,408,201 1,023,515 384,686			79,180 to be paid out
R. Hay noted that in the SORAC accounts (presented during SORAC AGM) donations to LMIT shows K99,416 as opposed to K35,000 advised to R. Hay by A. Morrison. This discrepancy to be looked into. It was unanimously agreed by the members present to accept the Treasurers Report without the need of an audit. J. Balarin suggested increasing the affiliation fees for clubs to K5,000 in view of teh website costs. A. Morrison adopted this suggestion.

OFFICE BEARERS:

Chairman	A.W. Morrison	(by virtue of being SORAC Chairman)
Vice Chairman	J. Balarin	(by virtue of being LADAC Chairman)
Member	N. Tratatis	(as LADAC has 2 Vice Chairmen - either one has a vote)
Member	G. Brown	(as LADAC has 2 Vice Chairmen - either one has a vote)
Secretary	C. Lithgow
Treasurer	R. Hay	(for continuity)

PRESENTATIONS:

The Chairman presented an ASOM glass to the following:

1)	A.W. Morrison	for his negotiations with MNCOS regarding the 2006 Lake Malawi International
2)	A.W. Morrison	for his efforts in sorting out records and colours
3)	L.D. Arthur	for his efforts in helpint secure Naional support
4)	J. Sohal	for assisting with records
5)	A. Del Bufalo	for assisting with records
6)	R. Alves	for assisting with records
7)	X. Lithgow	for her efforts in producing the ASOM logo

He thanked all those who assisged in the 2006 Lake Malawi International: Crankos, Eileen Hay, Laurie Arthur, Doe Pendered, kitchen staff and boat staff.

The advised that the Malawi Championships sponsored by Toyota Malawi was the first sponsorship to break the K500,000 mark.

He congratulated the SORAC team (A. Morrison, C. Lithgow, S. Saunders, C. Clow and A. Evans) for winning the Interclub Trophy. They were presented with an ASOM glass.

MALAWI CHAMPIONSHIPS:

The Toyota Malawi representative Mrs N. Khan, presented prizes to the following winners:

1st Leg	C. Lithgow	2nd Leg	C. Lithgow
3rd Leg	K. Balarin	4th Leg	J. Balarin

OVERALL RESULTS
Winner	C. Lithgow
Runner up	J. Balarin
3rd Place	K. Balarin
4th Place	A. Vorster
5th Place	S. Saunders

The Chairman presented an ASOM glass to Mrs Khan. Mrs Khan said that it had been a good event and that Toyota Malawi has a corporate responsibility in this regard. She wishes ASOM all the best and advised that Toyota Malawi will continue their sponsorship.

ASOM COLOURS:

Half colours awarded to:
P. Del Bufalo R. Hay C. Lithgow	L. Arthur A. Morrison I. Bartlett	A. Surtee I. Sauter

Full colours awarded to:
J. Balarin	J. Sohal

Honorary Life colours awarded to:
R. Alves	A. Del Bufalo

The Chairman advised that if anyone felt they had been omitted from awards they could put in a claim to ASOM. He called upon the incoming Chairman, A. Morrison to close the ASOM meeting. Mr A Morrison thanked everyone for their confidence in electing him to this position. He thanked J. Balarin for all his efforts, as seen this evening, and pointed out that none of it wuold have been possible without J. Balarin.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS TO TRANSACT THE MEETING WAS CLOSED AT 09.32 PM.
(REVERTED BACK TO SORAC AGM)

Angling Society of Malawi

ASOM Rules & Annual General Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE 68TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT COUNTRY CLUB LIMBE ON FRIDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2007 AT 8.42 PM

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