Sports Council commends FAM on medical cover deal

Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has appealed to associations to emulate Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to secure medical insurance cover for their athletes.

This follows a deal sealed on Thursday in which 800 players in the Super League, regional football leagues and women’s football league will access medical insurance of up to K1.4 million through a tailor-made scheme named Econo-Sport.

In an interview yesterday, MNCS board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise said FAM and Super League of Malawi’s partnership with Masm should encourage other associations to do likewise. The 10-year deal is valued at K180 million.

He said: “It’s great news for the sports fraternity. It’s a good day for us. Council commends FAM and Masm and we call upon other associations to emulate this.

“We must take care of our athletes and providing a medical insurance scheme is one way of doing this. It is something we will discuss as council in relation to our various national teams.”

Sports marketing analyst Kevin Moyo described the deal as good for players.

“A journey of a million steps starts with one. This is a step in the right direction for our football,” he said.

However, another analyst Higger Mkandawire said although it is a good initiative the scheme should also extend to players’ families.

“It is a good initiative to players, but any employer covers family as well. I hope FAM and Sulom with Masm will look into that,” he said.

FAM has stepped in to pay the premiums on behalf of the clubs and will be contributing K9 million a year with Masm meeting the other half.