Silver bag K39m in prize money
Silver Strikers topped the prizes galore in domestic football in the just-ended 2021 season having collectively bagged K39 million.
They were followed by Nyasa Big Bullets who carted home K33 million. Fallen giants Mighty Wanderers were third with a paltry K6 million.
However, the People’s Team earned K48 million in total, having received K15 million as runners-up prize at the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Club Championship Tournament in Tanzania.
The Central Bankers got K25 million for winning the inaugural edition of the FDH Bank Cup. They also received K7.5 million as runners-up in the TNM Super League.
That is not all. The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side took home K1 million for winning the first round of the league and more recently K5.5 million runners-up prize for the Airtel Top 8.
Bullets got K15 million for winning the TNM Super League title, K17 million for emerging champions of the Airtel Top 8 and K1 million for reaching the quarter-finals of the FDH Bank Cup.
On their part, the Nomads took home K4 million for finishing third in the top-flight league and K2 million for reaching the semi-finals of the FDH Bank Cup.
Reacting to the feat, Silver chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said: “As we concurrently push for professionalism and commercialisation with a focus on on-field success, this gives us an impetus to work hard next season.
“We aim to realise the dream of unprecedented success in the field of play and revenue generation.
“I can assure all stakeholders that next season will come with more success stories.”
Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said they feel proud of their feat.
He said: “It’s a move in the right direction that we have made such an amount in prize money which goes beyond the boarders.
“When you consider that for the better part of the season, we did not benefit from gate revenue due to Covid-19 restrictions, the prize monies were a solace.”
Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said the development is proof that teams can only do well with sound sponsorship.
“It also shows that commercialisation is working, especially for teams like Silver and Bullets.
“But when you compare the costs and gains, the teams did not generate profits, nevertheless they are on the right path.
“It also has to be considered that the teams did not benefit from gate-revenue due to effects of Covid-19. The football runners are also stuck in the trial and error in broadcasting rights where the clubs haven’t started benefiting.
“So, I would say with time. the clubs will start reaping the rewards.
