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FDH Bank U-turns

FDH Bank has doubled the national football team annual sponsorship to K60 million for three years, barely six months after terminating their partnership with Football Association of Malawi (FAM).


The bank floated adverts in the media in June declaring they would no longer be involved with FAM as a football partner “to safeguard the bank’s brand integrity” following a controversy surrounding the ‘missing’ K4.7 million gate revenue during the Airtel Top 8 semi-final between age-old rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.

Mpinganjira (L) and Nyamilandu do the paperwork


However, during a press conference at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre yesterday, the bank’s deputy managing director William Mpinganjira said they changed their mind and came up with a K180 million three-year sponsorship.


“What happened at the stadium was very unfortunate and, as a bank, we could not do otherwise but part ways with FAM. However, after giving it a deep thought, we realised the problem was neither FAM nor FDH, but some criminal elements, especially from some football fans,” he said.


“Therefore, we resolved not to be dissuaded by the circumstances. We learned that if we step aside and give in to the criminal elements, we cannot progress and improve football standards in the country. This is time to invest in our football and the future is now.”


Mpinganjira said as a country, Malawi needs a performing and winning national team and this requires resources to identify talent, groom and equip the talent through international friendly matches.


On his part, a joyful FAM president Walter Nyamilandu expressed delight at the bank’s renewal of partnership, describing it as a “pleasant surprise.”
“It is good that after the negativities this year, we finally forget our miseries such as the Flames misfiring and get such sweet news. It is great to finish the year with a smile. It is surprising to have such an early Christmas gift,” he said.


“At a time when the picture does not look rosy, we thought FDH was today coming to say they would no longer extend the national team sponsorship, but it was quite relieving to hear this great news. It is good to have a true friend who sticks with you even when chips are low. This is a sign of a strong and serious partner.”


As a token of appreciation to the bank’s continued support, Nyamilandu declared that from now on, FDH, a subsidiary of FDH Financial Holdings Limited, is FAM’s official bank. He said the association will be doing all its banking transactions through the bank.


The FAM president stated that the sponsorship will go towards the operations of the Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 national teams starting with the Under-23s Olympics qualifier against Zambia next year.


“With this support, we will be well prepared for Olympic qualifiers as the Under-23 team will go to overseas for camping and have some international friendlies. This sponsorship is an ignition that will bring out embers of the burning Flames to scorch our opponents,” he said.


FDH Bank initially partnered FAM with a K90 million three-year sponsorship in 2016. Part of it went towards meeting Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden’s (RVG) perks.

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