Businessperson Daniel Mwanyongo Chitonya has donated K200 000 to Karonga United ahead of the Airtel Top 8 final tomorrow against Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The entrepreneur has also offered a 60-seater bus with 50 litres of fuel for supporters from Karonga to travel to Lilongwe to cheer their team.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Chitonya said he believes his decision will motivate the team to do well in the Airtel Top 8 final.
“Karonga United does not have sponsors and its survival depends on well-wishers.
“So, when I learnt about this game I had to contribute in a small way possible and I hope the bus will enable supporters to travel to the capital city and give their team the much needed morale,” he said.
Reacting to the news in an interview, Karonga United general secretary Ramsey Simwaka said the donation will go a long way to help the team.
“We are grateful to Mr Chitonya for this kind gesture. Playing a crucial game like this one away from home is not a joke.
“Therefore, the bus will help us to carry the 12th player from Karonga to Lilongwe to cheer the Ingwinas of Karonga and give them the morale,” he said.
Karonga district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu has also donated 60 litres of fuel towards the team’s trip to Lilongwe.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has offered free entry for at least 5 000 primary and secondary school learners wishing to watch the Airtel Top 8 final tomorrow.
FAM technical director John Kaputa said they have also extended the offer to football academies within the capital city as a way of motivating and inspiring the youth.
“The learners should be in the uniform of their school and should be under the supervision of at least two of their teachers, who should have a list of their names at the entrance between 10 and 11 am,” he said
“We have advised the Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) to coordinate the arrangement, which has been done to inspire the youth to take football seriously.”
Meanwhile, Mibawa Television (TV) Station marketing manager Frank Mchenga has said the station will broadcast the final live. n
