K6m raised for South U-20 netball
The Corporate Sports Festival, which Southern Region Netball Committee (SRNC) organised at the Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) on Saturday, has raised about K6 million for the introduction of the country’s inaugural Under-20 Netball League.
SRNC general secretary Charity Gondwe said they are happy that they have met their target through the fundraising event that included aerobics, football, basketball, volleyball and netball matches.
She said they have acquired K3 million from investment firm Alliance Capital, K700 000 from Ecobank and K300 000 from microfinance institution Finca Malawi, apart from collecting at least K1.6 million as participation fees from the 32 teams who paid K50 000 each and K400 000 from some individuals.
“To us, this was a successful fundraising initiative because we met our K5 million target as we collected K6 million and incurred less than K1 million in expenses. This will play a big role in the setting up of our first-ever Under-20 Netball League in our fold. We thank everybody for the support,” Gondwe said.
She said the development means the junior netball league is expected to throw off at district level in Blantyre, Mwanza, Neno, Thyolo, Mulanje, Chikwawa and Nsanje in August before the district champions made it to the regional finals later this year.
“District champions will get prizes aside from qualifying for the regional finals. The K3 million from Alliance Capital will be used for the prizes while the rest of the money raised will be used for administration and transport for the teams,” Gondwe said.
Guest of honour and National Bank of Malawi (NBM) corporate affairs manager Annie Magola, who made an individual contribution of K100 000, said it is important to support initiatives that aim to uplift sports standards in the country.
During the festival, Golden Eagles (a social team sponsored by Ecobank), triumphed in netball after defeating FDH Bank 11-7 in the finals while Masm beat Escom 1-0 to take football glory. Wellcome Trust and Ecobank emerged champions in volleyball and basketball, respectively.
