Flames initiative generates K1.4m out of K60m target
The ‘Ipatse Moto Flames and Win’ initiative targeted to raise K60 million for Flames’ African Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon, but has only generated K1.4 million.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) first vice-president Jabber Alide said this on Thursday when he handed over a grand prize of Toyota Sienta worth over K3 million to lucky winner Ronald Gomani at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
The promotion, which was the last of the three major fundraisers that the Flames Afcon Resource Mobilisation Task Force organised, also gave out six deep freezers and 48 replica jerseys to other lucky winners.
“We failed to generate the expected funds through this particular initiative. However, what mattered most was not the meeting of our target, but the interaction we had with the general public ahead of the Afcon finals,” Alide, who is also chairperson of the Task Force, said.
On his part, Gomani said he was happy to win the Toyota Sienta.
“It feels good to win a big prize such as this for the first time in my life. Nevertheless, what is important is that I took part in contributing to the Flames Afcon campaign,” he said.
The ‘Ipatse Moto Flames and Win’ Flames initiated followed the Ipatse Moto Fundraising Golf Tournament. The golf tourney had Vice-President Saulos Chilima as guest of honour and targeted K30 million, but raised K73.4 million.
A few weeks ago, President Lazarus Chakwera also hosted a VVIP Fundraising Dinner for the Flames campaign at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where K54 million was generated.
Meanwhile, Alide said if all the individuals and companies that made pledges towards the Flames’ cause fulfil their promises, all the fundraising initiatives will meet the target of raising over K154 million, which was a deficit on the Flames Afcon budget.
“Many individuals and companies made pledges, which are yet to be fulfilled. Once they fulfil their obligations, our overall target will be met,” he said. The 2021 Afcon finals will be held from January 9 to February 6, with the Flames having their first Group B fixture against Guinea on January 10.
