The newly introduced K6.5 million (about $16 250) Partners Charity Shield will be an annual event, the trophy’s sponsors, Orange Partners, a youth wing of People’s Party, have disclosed.
Chairperson of the organising committee George Tambala confirmed the news.
“When we came up with is idea, we wanted to make it an annual event so that we contribute to the development of soccer in the country. We want the tournament to be taking place two weeks before the kick-off of the Super League,” he said.
Orange Partners Central Province secretary general, Tony Chizengera, said the bulk of the sponsorship money will go to logistics such as participation fees for the four teams and accommodation for Big Bullets and Mighty Wanders FC who will travel from Blantyre to Lilongwe.
“We are also paying each referee K26 000 (about $65). We will have 12 referees for three matches. We have allocated over K320 000 (about $800) to referees. We have covered every area to make sure the tournament is a success,” he said.
Chizengera also said apart from K1 million (about $2 500) for the winners and K500 000 (about $1250) for runners-up, they have allocated money to go to individual achievers of the tournament.
“We have individual awards to be given to the best to player of the tournament, top goal scorer and also the most disciplined team. Each winner will receive K20 000 (about $50), while the most disciplined team will get K50 000 (about $125),” he said.
He also announced that all the four teams will get medals after the finals.
Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has commended Orange Partner for this sports initiative.
“For a long time, we have been appealing for more sponsors to promote football and enhance competition. What Orange Partners have done is to fill the gap and we are very grateful. The fact that they want to make this an annual event is great news not only to FAM but to clubs as well,” said FAM executive member James Mwenda.
Champions Silver Strikers, runners-up Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Epac United are the four teams selected to compete in the charity shield which seeks to raise K10 million (about $25 000) to go towards people displaced by floods in some districts of the country.
