Fingers crossed
FAM has asked for K500 million extra funding from government for national teams’ engagements, having exhausted its K300 million allocation for the current 2019/20 financial year.
Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) proposed budget was K1.4 billion, but only got K300 million which was used to meet costs of their 2022 World Cup preliminary qualifiers against Botswana’s Zebras as well as 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) first two qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda, among others.
The association’s finance and administration director Christopher Mdolo and Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) acting executive secretary Henry Mereka confirmed that the local football governing body requested for slightly over K500 million.
Said Mdolo: “Roughly it is about K500 million plus and it covers activities for senior men’s and women’s national football teams and junior national teams.”
Among other upcoming activities for the Flames are 2021 Afcon and 2022 World Cup qualifiers as well as the Cosafa Cup while the Scorchers will take part in the 2021 Women Afcon qualifiers.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said their request for a supplementary budget was submitted to government through MNCS for consideration.
“The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture [Francis Phiso] has also been briefed about the situation and the matter is under discussion with the ministry.
“In the interim, we have received relief from our partners FDH Bank, who have released K30 million part sponsorship towards the Flames preparations. These funds have enabled the Flames to travel to Zambia for the friendly match against Chipolopolo,” he said.
On his part, Phiso expressed optimism that FAM’s request will be approved.
Said the minister: “That has always been the trend—that whenever associations have a shortfall—especially FAM, government provides them with extra funding.
“So, we will see how best we can help them, but for sure they will be assisted.” FAM is facing a race against time for extra funding as their crammed diary starts in two weeks time when the Flames travel to Burkina Faso for their 2021 Afcon qualifier against the Stallions slated for March 26 with the reverse fixture set for four days later at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
