FAM shifts Presidential Cup to July
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has shifted the K60 million (US$147 420) Presidential Football Cup to July at the recommendation of Sports Council.
The development comes against the background of the K22 million (US$54 054.1) shortfall that was proving difficult for FAM to organise the normal event that starts at district level before moving on to regional phase and then national stage.
FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday claimed that the shift had little to do with the shortfall issue.
“The emergency committee met recently and saw it wise to request government to consider shifting the tournament in view of the elections,
“It was noted that people could take advantage of the games to create disorder. The issue about the shortfall could be another factor, but it was not the real cause for the request,” said Nyirenda.
He said the committee observed that if the tournament was to be played under the revised format, whereby district teams were supposed to take part from the regional phase, it would have been costly.
Sports Council executive secretary George Jana said it was council’s suggestion that FAM should shift the dates.
“It is not like we have moved it forward so as to tap from the next financial budget, but we want FAM to use their allocation for next fiscal year to meet this obligation,” said Jana.
FAM diverted the K22 million towards Flames’ 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in last September.
