K16 million for Fisd champions

By Peter Kanjere & Williams Gondwa:

Non-governmental organisation Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (Fisd) Monday hiked its national knockout Challenge Cup sponsorship from K52.5 million to K60 million.

The increase in the sponsorship package, announced during the re-launch of the cup at Football Association of Malawi’s (Fam) Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, Monday, has also trickled down to prize money.

The champion will now be pocketing K16 million, the highest on the domestic scene.

Speaking during the ceremony, Fisd Marketing and Communications Manager, Wezzie Chiumia, said they increased the sponsorship after being impressed with the progress of last year’s edition.

“To us football is not just a game but also a channel for our food and income security messages and interventions. To us football is also a message that development starts with us, Malawians, and that we should stop expecting others to act first. We should be the catalysts for positive change. Fisd Challenge Cup is a message that together we need to irrigate and harvest at least three times a year so as to improve our livelihood,” Chiumia said.

In response, Fam General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, thanked Fisd for its continued support to domestic football.

The competition will run from this month to December, involving 16 Super League teams, top eight teams from each regional league plus 29 district sides.

The 16 Super League clubs will be drawn against each other with the top-eight from last season seeded.

The best eight outfits from this stage will make it to the national phase, joining five teams from districts and three from the regional leagues.

Kamuzu Barracks are the defending champions of the cup which was launched in 2016 with a package of K45 million. Be Forward Wanderers were the cup’s inaugural winners.