Women FAM Cup format changed

National Women Football Committee (NWFC) has put on hold the kick-off of this year’s K10.5 million ($21 000) FAM Cup to effect the change of playing format, NWFC chairperson Severia Chalira has confirmed.

The competition was expected to roll into action this weekend with the traditional knock-out format from district level following last weekend’s draw.
However, Chalira told The Nation yesterday that they would like to have it played on league basis due to scarcity of women football action in the country.
This means the draw will be redone in accordance with the new format and games are likely to begin on August 1.
“Previously, we played the Football Association of Malawi [FAM] Cup on knock-out basis because we had at least three additional domestic competitions that kept the girls active almost throughout the year. But now, the FAM Cup is all we have. Therefore, we want to take advantage of this event to give our girls more game time,” Chalira said.
However, she said they will have an executive meeting this weekend to set up suitable rules and regulations for the contest to kick-off two months prior to its normal schedule of September.
Chalira added that the meeting will also discuss the review of the budget considering that the new format would bring several changes, including how prizes would be presented to successful teams.
Prior to the change of format, the competition was played on knock-out basis starting from district level in 15 out of the country’s 28 districts.
District champions qualified for the regional stage apart from winning prize money. Then, they fought for the national stage where they battled for the ultimate glory against seeded teams.