Airtel boosts Fam fundraising drive

The fundraising drive for Malawi National Football Team’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) preparations got a boost Wednesday after Airtel Malawi contributed K25 million to the initiative.

Airtel Malawi Managing Director Charles Kamoto announced the news in Lilongwe Wednesday.

According to Kamoto, K2.5 million will go towards the Kuipatsa Moto Flames Golf Tournament held last month whereas another K2.5 million has been earmarked for the Kuipatsa Moto Flames Fundraising Dinner, which is yet to take place.

K20 million has been allocated to the team’s general needs.

Kamoto said Airtel was proud to be associated with the Flames.

“The Flames did us proud by qualifying for the Afcon finals; so, they deserve our support. We expect that they will perform well in Cameroon. They need to work hard so that they put Malawi on the map,” he said.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) First Vice President Jabbar Alide hailed Airtel for the timely assistance.

“With this donation, Airtel has cemented its signature in Fam’s Hall of Fame. The fundraising deficit is too huge and we appeal to the corporate world to continue assisting us so that we meet our target,” Alide said.

Alide, said following Airtel’s donation, the Flames fundraising initiative has generated about K100 million after the golf tournament raised K73 million though registration fees, sponsorship, a raffle draw and auction sales.

The golf tournament had a K30 million target, which the taskforce surpassed by 150 percent. Its overall target was K450 million.

This leaves the taskforce with about K350 million to meet its target.

Alide said he was optimistic that companies and individuals would pour in more support towards the initiative.

“We will not relax. We believe there are many companies, organisations and individuals that are capable of helping the team,” he said.

In total, the Flames need K1.5 billion to prepare for and participate in the Afcon finals which kick off in Cameroon early January.

However, Confederation of African Football provides starter packs to all participating nations.

Malawi Government also made a commitment to provide K700 million to the team ahead of the finals.

The Flames are in Group B of the Afcon finals alongside Senegal, Zimbabwe and Guinea.