By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya, has appealed to the sponsors of Malawi’s central region second-tier league, Chipiku Stores, to accommodate additional sponsors and elevate the league’s professionalism.
Haiya made this plea on Thursday, February 29, 2023, at the Bingu National Stadium in the Media Conference room during the 2023 Chipiku Stores Premier Division League prize presentation.
The event was organized by the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) in collaboration with sponsor Chipiku Stores.
“Football demands substantial funding for logistics, necessitating more financial support for player fees. To achieve this, multiple partners must come forward.
“I urge the CRFA to intensify efforts in sourcing additional sponsors, and I appeal to Chipiku Stores to consider co-sponsors. The issue of naming rights can remain under Chipiku, but let’s welcome other partners,” Haiya emphasized.
Referring to the mentioned MK19.8 million, Haiya stated, “We couldn’t ask for more from them. As we provide subventions to regional leagues, our goal is to witness their professional growth. The increased sponsorship will undoubtedly fuel intense competition among the teams.”
In response to the Football Association of Malawi’s call, Brown Mkangama, the regional administrative officer of Chipiku Stores, expressed, “As one of the sponsors, we will assess how to accommodate additional partners. At the moment, I cannot specify the details, but we will certainly address it.”
Mkangama added, “The sponsorship package increase stems from evaluating team performance in the previous season and considering the economic landscape. We aim to make the prizes for the upcoming season more valuable, serving as a motivation factor for teams, anticipating substantial competition.”
On the sponsorship increase from MK16.5 million to MK19.8 million, Central Region Football Association Acting General Secretary Antonio Manda conveyed gratitude to Chipiku Stores, stating, “The significant increment is a welcome development for teams in the region.
While we aim to lobby for co-sponsors, our initial step is to communicate with our main sponsor, Chipiku, urging them to open up to the idea of embracing additional partners. Football nowadays is expensive, and financial support is crucial for professional management.”
During the presentation, CRECK Sporting Club received MK5 million from Chipiku for being champions in the 2023 season. Additionally, FAM awarded them another MK5 million as a token of appreciation, alongside medals and a trophy.
St. Gabriel Zitha received MK2.4 million as runners-up, Silver Reserve took home MK920,000 for finishing third, and Malawi Defence Force sides Airborne Rangers and Support Battalion received MK600,000 and MK500,000 each for finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
St. Gabriel Zitha Striker Mathews Hamuza secured the Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals in the season, while Rahim Mtondera of CRECK Sporting Club won the Player of the Season accolade
