FAM, minister differ on Flames trip
While Youth Development and Sports Minister Symon Vuwa-Kaunda insisted that State President Joyce Banda had endorsed the trip, on the other hand Football Association of Malawi (FAM) public relations and media manager Casper Jangale claimed that the trip had not yet been approved.
Vuwa-Kaunda on Wednesday thanked the State President for approving the trip, saying: “It has pleased Her Excellency to approve the trip to China and we are very grateful for her gesture because the international friendly match will help the team tune up for [2014] World Cup and [2013] Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”
However, to the contrary, Jangale Wednesday insisted that government was yet to give its seal of approval.
“We cannot even release the call-up because there is no communication from government that the trip has been approved.
“The team cannot go into camp unless we get official communication from government,” Jangale said.
This was also in contrast to what FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said on Monday that the trip had been approved and the team is scheduled to go into camp this weekend.
On Wednesday, Vuwa-Kaunda said the Chinese government had accepted to meet travel costs for the players and the technical staff.
“The Chinese government will pay for the travel expenses for the players and the technical staff while the rest will be met by the Ministry, Sports Council and Government respectively,” said Vuwa-Kaunda.
The Flames will take on China as part of their preparations for their World Cup qualifiers against Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Nigeria’s Super Eagles as well as the Africa Cup of National qualifier against Chad’s Sao. All the three matches are slated for June.
Apart from China, FAM is also trying to arrange another friendly match against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
China, who are nicknamed ‘The Great Wall’ are ranked 66th in the world. They will also take on world champions Spain on June 3 in Sevilla in another friendly.
