Financially struggling Mighty Wanderers FC has yet again failed to meet its K100 million monthly target as its fundraising initiative generated about K100 000 in January.
The revenue represents a 97.5 percent drop as compared to the K4 million the TNM Super League giants made in December from the initiative.
Wanderers chairperson Simon Sikwese yesterday described the development as a big setback that requires changing their approach. He said they do not see a future under the current setup.
The Lali Lubani Road outfit’s experience comes at a time other Super League clubs such as Mighty Tigers, Karonga United, Chitipa United, Ntopwa FC, TN Stars, Mzuzu Warriors and Ekwendeni Hammers are also struggling to generate income.
The Nomads launched the Noma Yathu, Noma Yanga initiative three months ago as a way of keeping the club afloat after Japanese reconditioned car dealers Be Forward Limited announced sponsorship withdrawal upon contract expiry last month. The drive encourages individuals to contribute at least K100 each monthly to the club.
“This is a worrisome development considering the financial challenges the club is going through,” Sikwese said.
“Now, we are thinking of changing our approach of encouraging fans to help the club; we would like to turn it into a promo whereby contributors will be entered into a draw and win various prizes. We are currently trying to see where we can get such prizes.”
He added that they are also in the process of introducing frequent financial reports on their income and expenditure through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook so that people should not doubt the purpose of their campaign.
Wanderers supporters’ chairperson Mervin Nkunika yesterday said although Covid-19 has made fundraising problematic, the initiative’s lukewarm support is a result of the long and complicated transactional procedures on TNM Mpamba and Airtel Money platforms.
“Fellow Wanderers supporters have been calling me that they could not make contributions because the process is too long and complicated. This is why we would like to plead with service providers TNM and Airtel to simplify the process as is the case with codes for their agent. For instance, they can give us a simple code such as Noma 1234,” he said.
Wanderers owe their players K12 million in two-month salaries and have suspended training due to financial hiccups.
Among the 16 Super League teams only half have sponsorships. Champions Nyasa Big Bullets are bankrolled by a private company while Silver Strikers, Civil Service United, Blue Eagles, Mafco, Moyale Barracks, Kamuzu Barracks and Red Lions enjoy government support.
Meanwhile, Mighty Tigers, Karonga United, Chitipa United, Ntopwa FC, TN Stars, Mzuzu Warriors and Ekwendeni Hammers have also lamented poor support from well-wishers.
“So far, I can say we are surviving on funds raised from well-wishers and the Covid-19 Relief Funds we got from Football Association of Malawi. At present, it is hard to arrange fundraising activities and we just hope that things will improve as soon as possible,” said Tigers chairperson Sydney Chikoti.
Recently, analysts said the clubs’ fundraising initiatives cannot work without prior arrangement of civic-educating their supporters on the drives.
