Flames starve amid FAM riches
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has taken a begging bowl for its K150 million budget for the Flames assignments in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
Out of the K150 million budget FAM says it has a shortfall of K85 million.
Yet the association’s financial reports which will be presented at the extraordinary general assembly on February 20 indicate that the association’s revenue hit K1.2 billion and after some expenditures it had a surplus of K377 million as of July 2015.
FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said they only have K65 million—K15 million of which was donated by Airtel while K50 million is a final installment from the Carlsberg Malawi three-year sponsorship agreement.
Asked why the association begs for the Flames when it has money that can be used for the national team, Nyirenda said the funds are meant for other programmes.
“There are several projects which we have used the funds for. Some of the projects are the construction of a fence at our offices in Lilongwe and also refurbishment of our accommodation rooms at Chiwembe,” he said.
Nyirenda could not disclose the current FAM’s bank accounts balance.
He also indicated that FAM has on several occasions used its own funds for the Flames.
“There are other expenses which we use our own money. So it’s not that we always rely on sponsors,” Nyirenda said.
Meanwhile, the GS said FAM management will meet this weekend to discuss how to raise the K85 million shortfall.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu also ruled out any chance of diverting funds meant for other projects to the Flames.
“The finances in the financial report are as at end July 2015. The book balance has since changed,” said Nyamilandu.
“Most of the funds were already used for national team engagements.”
Meanwhile, Ministry of Sports and Culture also painted a gloomy picture when asked if extra funds will be available for the Flames.
“If they are so stranded then we can contribute some funds. However, the association should not expect much from us,” Sports Minister Grace Chiumia said.
Flames face Guinea at home and away in the Afcon qualifier in March before hosting Swaziland and later competing at the Cecafa tournament in Namibia in May.
