Malawi’s football association to lobby sponsors

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said it will engage sponsors to raise sponsorship packages for tournaments considering the current tough economic times.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said they are planning to meet sponsors of tournaments directly under their jurisdiction such as Standard Bank Knockout Trophy, Carlsberg Cup, Presidential Cup and FMB National Regional Youth Leagues.

“From experience, what we are saying is that we are going through tough economic times and the money that was available to run the tournaments two years ago is no longer the same,” said Nyamilandu.

Mighty Wanderers chairperson George Chamangwana and his Escom United counterpart Fanuel Nkhono said there is indeed need for sponsors to review the packages considering how much teams spend to prepare for such tournaments.

“Teams spend a lot preparing for the games and what they get in terms of prize money does not offset the expenses,” said Chamangwana.

Nkhono said what FAM has done confirms their concern that the sponsorships are not adequate.

“What FAM is saying is quite true. For instance, we spent K4 million on Carlsberg Cup and yet we got K3 million as runners-up prize money.

“Even in Super League, the champions get about K9 million when teams spend K20 million on average in a season. Teams need to be compensated for their efforts,” said Nkhono.

However, both Carlsberg Malawi and government, who sponsor the Presidential Cup, said they will only comment upon being officially approached by FAM.

“FAM could have a point, but I am afraid we cannot comment out of context. We will wait for them to approach us officially,” said Carlsberg Malawi senior brands manager [alcoholics] Twikale Chirwa.

On his part, principal secretary II in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi said: “Normally, in such circumstances, what is supposed to happen is for FAM to officially approach us as a partner because we stakeholders have our own interests.”