Fam gets relief funds from Fifa
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) can afford a smile after the world football governing body, Fifa, released the last chunk of Covid relief funds to help local football stakeholders cushion the effects of the pandemic.
Just like in the first allocation, Fam got $500, 000 (about K385 million) from Fifa.
Fam Media and Competitions Director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed that Fifa channelled the money into the association’s account on Monday, February 1.
Following the development, Zakazaka said teams that have submitted financial reports on how they used the first allocation of K5 million will be entitled to receive the second chunk.
“The criteria is the same; give financial reports for the first chunk and access the second one. We are glad that most teams have now submitted their financial reports beating the January 31 2021 deadline. Only those that have fulfilled the criteria will get the money,” he said.
Zakazaka said in total each Super League team will get K10 million.
Nyasa Big Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said they could not wait to get their second allocation.
“These funds from Fifa helped teams as most of them have not been able to generate revenue due to protocols restricting supporters from watching the games. It has been a bad year not only in Malawi but the entire world,” he said.
Silver Strikers Chief Executive Officer Thokozani Chimbali also expressed happiness on the arrival of the Fifa money.
“This is good news as most teams now are struggling and these funds will go a long way in helping the teams meet some of their costs as fans are still barred from patronising the games.
“We expect Fam to act with speed in the distribution of the funds so that teams can also plan in good time,” he said.
The 2020/21 TNM Super League season is on a three-week break following Presidential Taskforce on Covid reducing public gathering to 50 from 100.
Peter Fote is a Sports Journalist with huge experience in radio and Television reporting, production and presentation. He once worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and is currently working for Times Media Group.
