CAF doubles grants

CAF has increased annual grants to its member associations, including Football Association of Malawi (FAM) from $100 000 (about K74 million)  to $200 000 (about K148 million).

According to a statement released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the increment  was approved by its executive committee during a meeting held in Cairo, Egypt last week.

“The grant for each CAF member association is to improve its current infrastructures and develop its football at the national and local levels.

“The CAF football development policy is guided by “CAF Contract with Africa”, a strategic blueprint development programme launched in 2005,” reads part of the statement.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, who is also a CAF executive committee member, confirmed the increment yesterday.

“The funding has been directed towards development of football. This has boosted our ability to roll out youth football development programmes.

“We are guaranteed extension of the FAM Under-15 and Under-17 leagues across all districts.

“This also includes our grass root programme which is taking place in all the districts,” he said.

In November last year, world football governing body Fifa’s Council also approved revised football development funding for the 2019-2022 cycle.

The funding was increased from $5 million (about K3.7 billion) to $6 million (about K4.4 billion).

The 211 member associations, including FAM, get the grants under the Fifa Forward Development Programme over a period of four years.

Fifa conditions allow the FAs to use up to $1 million per year for their running and operational costs that include governance, administration, national teams domestic competitions, permanent administrative and technical staff, financial management (audit) and communication platforms. n