Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama says his Finance counterpart Felix Mlusu has asked for FAM’s financial report before Treasury can consider the K700 million special funding request for the Flames’ 2022 Afcon finals preparations.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports made the request to enable the Malawi National Football Team to have thorough preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals scheduled to kick off on January 9 in Cameroon.
Responding to a question on progress made on the request, Msungama said: “I met the Finance Minister on the issue and he asked for FAM’s audited financial report so that they understand their financial operations.
“They want to appreciate how FAM runs its finances. To that effect, I took up the matter directly with the FAM president [Walter Nyamilandu] since it is a matter of urgency.
“But I am not sure whether they [FAM] have done the needful.”
On his part, Nyamilandu said copies of the financial reports were already sent to both ministers.
“They were hand-delivered by [FAM licensing and compliance manager] Casper Jangale,” he said.
Treasury spokesperson Williams Banda said in an interview that the issue is being looked into.
The Flames’ Afcon finals budget is pegged at K1.5 billion, but Nyamilandu last week said there is no firm position yet as regards funding with four months left before the tournament starts.
“We are banking on the initiative that has been set up by the Flames resource mobilisation task force and special funding from Malawi Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” said Nyamilandu.
On his part, the Flames resource mobilisation task force chairperson Jabbar Alide, who is also FAM vice-president and High Court of Malawi judge, said they are optimistic of meeting their target to raise K450 million towards the cause.
He said: “We have four months left, but we are very optimistic that we will achieve our objectives. The planning phase is done. We have lined up several activities, some of which have started.”
Alide said for the team to adequately prepare for the Afcon finals, it needs about K1.493 billion.
He said: “This budget caters for the team’s travel costs, accommodation, air tickets, game appearance fees and bonuses for all the preparatory international friendly and competitive matches the team will play between now and December 2021 and the actual participation at Afcon finals in Cameroon.
“Out of the total budget, K926 million has been identified from government, Fifa and FDH Bank, leaving a deficit of K567 million. Accordingly, under the Kuipatsa Moto Flames campaign, FAM through the task force is joining hands with the public and private sector, and individuals to solicit funds and close the gap.”
