Malawi women’s football giants DD Sunshine say they need K38.5 million to participate in the inaugural Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) Women’s Champions League slated for April and May this year.
The club says it needs support for it to realise its dream of competing at this maiden regional women’s club competition.
The team has been relying on financial support from China-based Tabitha Chawinga, who started her football career at DD Sunshine alongside her sister Temwa.
Speaking in an interview with the Weekend Nation, owner of the club David Dube said Tabitha cannot shoulder all the costs for the club to take part in the tournament.
“I would like the public and the government to come in so that we can fulfil our dream. We desperately need funds for accommodation, meals, and air tickets, plus players allowances. In total it comes to about K38.5 million,” he said.
The figures exclude preparatory costs.
Tabitha said she is optimistic that the team will take part in the competition.
“I am just looking forward to the fixture. I think it is important to expose the players through such tournaments. I already made a commitment that I will support the team, but as I put it earlier, others will also need to assist us. It will be good for the players and also for the country,” she said.
The Lilongwe-based club has not regrouped as football is suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the team’s head coach Andrew Chikhosi said they have been training in small groups to keep the girls in shape.
The coach said the club has a squad capable of producing good results at the regional tournament.
“This is an inaugural event and every team will be new. We have a good squad and the public should expect good results from us,” said Chikhosi.
Meanwhile, the National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) has indicated that it will ensure the club takes part in the inaugural tournament.
“As women football association, we will help them prepare for the competition. We don’t want them to fail to go
to this competition. It is our wish that the team realise its vision,” said NWFA chairperson SuzgoNgwira.
DD Sunshine were Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS) women’s football and the Central Region Women’s Football League champions.
Despite Covid-19 pandemic Cosafa is confident of staging all the competitions this year.
The men’s Under-17 Championship, Women’s Under-20 competition are likely to be played as part of the Region 5 Games in Lesotho in December.
The Cosafa Women’s Championship is scheduled for September, and the Women’s Under-17 is pencilled for August.
The flagship men’s Cosafa Cup is planned for May 31 to June 16 while the men’s Under-20 Championship will take its usual slot in December.
Cosafa is also hopeful of hosting a beach soccer event in July, and a first ever Futsal competition that will be staged in Mozambique in September and October.
