CAF gives FAM K225m Covid-19 package

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) will receive  $300 000 (about K225 million) from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to help it mitigate the Covid-19 impact.

This was agreed during a CAF executive committee video-conference on Tuesday aimed at discussing the future of competitions and other related issues following the Covid-19 pandemic.

CAF said in a statement that it has set aside $16.2 million (about K12 billion) Covid-19 package for its member associations with each member entitled to $300 000 (about K225 million).

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, who was part of the teleconference by virtue of being a CAF executive committee member, described it as crucial towards the fight against the pandemic effects.

“We have lost revenue through loss of sponsorships and gate collections, among other channels. It is, therefore, pleasing that we will benefit from this grant,” he said.

Nyamilandu stated that they will discuss at FAM executive committee level how to use the funds.

“We may use it on national team or other areas. There are a lot of projects that require resources. So, the executive committee will decide,” he said.

Football is among the sports codes worst hit by coronavirus as the top-flight TNM Super League has been dormant since last December.

The pandemic has driven teams—most of which rely on gate revenue,  into financial challenges. Some of the teams are currently struggling to pay the players.

The situation forced FAM to introduce the Covid-19 Relief Fund through which it is paying players, referees and technical officials around  K40 000 each monthly.