Sports Council budget registers slight rise

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development has topped up the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) annual budget with K94 million, which has been dismissed as insignificant.

This is according to draft estimates of expenditure for the 2020-21 financial year which comes into effect on July 1 in which MNCS has been allocated K2.094 billion.

In the current budget, government allocated the council K2 billion for its operations and those of over 35 associations, including football and netball.

Commenting on the increase, the council’s executive secretary Henry Mereka said it was not enough to meet their demands.

“It is a bit far from our needs and wish list,” he said, adding that they are appreciative that: “Sports is still being given financial support and that there is  [government] will to develop sport.”

Basketball Association of Malawi general secretary Peter Gomani also described the increase as insignificant considering the beneficiaries.

“There are a lot of associations that benefit from the government grants. I don’t think this adjustment will mean anything,” he said.

According to the budget documents, the Ministry of Finance said the MNCS attained seven major achievements.

“[The council] continued training of athletes and administrators in sport business management and on other technical areas; completed first phase of BAT project comprising of a perimeter fence, ticketing booths, and guard rooms.

“It also finished first phase of hockey ground project and ready to host both local and international games,” it reports.

During the financial year, the Council also funded the football, draughts, netball and athletics participation in international tournaments.