Grappling with the Evirom dream
Blantyre forklifts entrepreneur Emmanuel Viola is grappling with the harsh reality that Evirom Football Club he inherited at the turn of the century is now a financial burden.
“If somebody helped us with K4 million (about $10 000), I would even rename the team to include their name. I have approached almost everybody without success. Even if government gave me K2 million (about $5 000), my team would not be relegated,” said Viola in an exclusive interview last Friday.
Barely four months into the team’s maiden TNM Super League season, Evirom have already spent K2.2 million (about $5 500) against a meagre K600 000 (about $1 500) earned from gate collections. This has led to Viola pressing the familiar panic button.
“Most of teams are excelling due to government support. I did not underestimate our financial muscle. Before our promotion, there were many pledges for support, but so far it is only Mr. Paseli who has helped us with K100 000 [about $250],” Viola said.
Paying 25 players and coaches monthly upkeep and daily training allowances costs him K300 000 (about $750) a month. This is a burden, noted Viola, who before Evirom’s promotion from the Premier Division, vowed to keep the Ndirande-based team afloat.
“The highest we have realised so far from gate collections is K20 000 (about $50).
We are okay with the rest of the venues, but when it comes to Kamuzu Stadium, it was made for the fans. The money goes into their pockets,” Viola complained.
When nine years ago he founded the team named after his forklifts company, it was more for fun. He never spent on the club, only to get a rude financial awakening when it worked its way up to the Premier Division four years ago.
“It is unfortunate the team got promoted into the Super League. I did not expect it. I don’t have the funds. I may have to sell some of the players who are demanding big money. I have also engaged Rodgers Yasini for two months to instil discipline so that we can survive relegation,” concluded Viola.
On Thursday, Evirom assistant coach Paul Kachingwe recalled that it was around 1998 that Viola inherited what used to be Mbawala Bushbucks and renamed it Evirom.
“I have worked with him for some 15 years and he has been quite instrumental in the team’s survival. It was easier when we were in the Premier Division, but the Super League is tough for one man to sponsor,” Kachingwe said.
Evirom are third from the bottom on six points having won only once in the top-flight league when they beat defending champions Silver Strikers 1-0.
The team has so far retained its pioneer players such as Zikhole Ngulube, Alick M’madi and Dereck Somanje.
Blantyre United administrator Lawson Nakoma also admitted that his team is costing him money.
Mzuzu United recently also sounded an SOS.
Caption: Despite the hardships, Evirom reached the Carlsberg Cup quarter-finals where they played Bvumbwe Research.
