FAM sticks to uniform relief

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu says the association will maintain its stand to offer all TNM Super League clubs a uniform relief package.

The reaction follows some clubs’ call for the association to consider giving more money to financially struggling clubs.

Last week, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu announced that the association will set aside K350 million to pay Super League players and officials K40 000 each every month for six months as a cushion to ease the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

But in an interview yesterday, Nyamilandu said they are treating all clubs equally.

“This is a rescue package designed to help all Super League clubs. All clubs have been affected by the suspension of the football calendar and are all experiencing financial loss. We are treating all clubs equally,” he said.

On why they are complaining being a handout, Ntopwa FC owner and sponsor Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman said some teams are comfortable to pay their players because they have sound sponsorship.

He said: “We are grateful to FAM, but it doesn’t make sense that well-sponsored teams, which are paying their players, should get the same package.”

While applauding FAM, Flames legend Peterkins Kayira also said the one size-fits-all arrangement is unfair to less-privileged teams.

“There’s no argument that FAM should allocate more money to more vulnerable teams such as Karonga United, Ntopwa, Green Warriors, TNM Stars, Mighty Tigers and Ekwendeni.

“This is why Be Forward Wanderers players have not complained of a 50 percent salary cut because they know that they will still survive.”

In an interview yesterday, Be Forward Wanderers general secretary Victor Maunde also said FAM should allocate more money to clubs that have no steady sponsorship as they are struggling.

He said: “We have clubs in the country that are on government payroll directly or indirectly and we have clubs that depend on the private sector or have no sponsorship.

Maunde said since the football calendar was suspended, some clubs are yet to pay players while others have been paying players and officials because they are on government payroll.

TN Stars administrator Jones Banda, whose club has no solid financial base, also said: “Much as we respect this consideration, but community-sponsored clubs should have been given a priority.

“Players in these clubs are experiencing more economic hardships.”

Civo United general secretary Ronald Chiwaula said much as they sympathise with the clubs, but FAM is not wrong. He said: “It is important to look at both sides of the coin.

“Here is a situation where everyone needs support regardless of whatsoever