Fisd raises cup sponsorship to K45m

Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (Fisd) Limited has increased sponsorship of the inaugural Fisd Challenge Cup by K5 million (about $7 200).

Speaking on Friday evening during the five-year sponsorship contract signing ceremony with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in Lilongwe, the company’s managing director Moses Msanda Chirambo said the package will be K45 million up from the initial K40 million.

He said the company wants to use football as a tool for promoting agriculture

“People are puzzled how football can be related to agriculture. Through sponsorship and promotion of football we are creating a platform to disseminate information on agriculture technologies.

“In the next five years we will be able to stir communities and persuade them to adopt these innovations so as to be food secure.

“We are into  irrigation technology,  but we understand the power of football over the masses and when we heard that there was a vacuum in cup sponsorship we thought that would give us an opportunity to use football to fight hunger,” explained Chirambo.

A visibly excited FAM president Walter Nyamilandu described Fisd as an epitome of patriotism.

“This is a testimony of true patriotism by a Malawian organisation owned by patriotic young Malawian professionals. You came in at a time when some big companies pulled out and shut the doors on football.

“I appreciate your patriotism and pledge to support your concept of promoting new agriculture innovations.  You are doing two noble causes by promoting football at the same time championing food security,” he said.

Nyamilandu also hailed Fisd for the commitment of a five year contract. n