Military teams open up
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has hailed military clubs for opening up for sponsorship and involving civilians in their administration, saying the move will help them build a strong fan base.
FAM licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale said this at a time Malawi Defence Force (MDF) clubs Kamuzu Barracks (KB), Moyale Barracks, Red Lions and Mafco are restructuring their operations ahead of the 2022 TNM Super League season kickoff to be in line with club licensing requirements.
“Before these developments, the MDF were approaching us for advice on how they could make their clubs commercially viable and we are happy that they have taken a positive step to achieve that,” he said.
“With this development, the military teams will not be the same as they will ably increase their fan base, which previously was mostly restricted to military personnel. Now, the civilians will have a sense of ownership and love the teams more. For instance, Red Lions can grow more into a top-flight league team representing Zomba and the Eastern Region than just being a mere institutional club at the barracks.”
Jangale urged other institutional and privately-owned clubs to follow the example.
At present, KB have secured a year-long K26.1 million sponsorship from Zamm Investments, which will see each player getting K25 000 game bonus for a win. Zamm will also sponsor the team’s kit.
Meanwhile, Lilongwe-based Malembo Lodge has also partnered the club and will provide accommodation and food during camp training.
Moyale recently welcomed K1 million assistance from medical insurance company Med Health while Red Lions FC has set up a board of trustees in which civilians are in majority.
Nevertheless, MDF spokesperson Major Emmanuel Kelvin Mlelemba said although military teams seem to have opened up for external sponsorship and civilians’ involvement, the trend has always been there.
“This trend has just been scaled up now because, all along, our teams have always had civilians in the committees and received donations from various companies and individuals,” he said.
KB general secretary Christopher Njeula said they were excited that they have opened up and brought the club closer to the community.
“This will give us leverage in terms of convincing sponsors to partner with us because, in brand building, numbers in actuality matter,” he said.
“The development means a lot to us because we will be able to match, in terms of availability of resources, with any other fancy clubs. The continued support from our mother body MDF will also continually add value
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