Medical cover scheme yet to roll out
The much-talked about medical cover scheme for footballers is expected to roll out next week after one month delay.
Both Super League of Malawi of Malawi (Sulom) and Football Association of Malawi (Fam) had targeted to register all the players by April 1, 2021.
However, the process is yet to be completed as the second round of the TNM Super League kicks off this afternoon. Currently, 70 percent of the cards have been processed.
Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda said the scheme is expected to start once the teams get the cards.
“Actually, the cards are ready for distribution and we are on track with our timelines because we planned for May 2021,” Somba-Banda said.
Sulom and Fam signed a 10-year agreement with Medical Aid Society of Malawi (Masm) on the medical cover for football players.
Through the agreement worth K180 million for a period of ten years, Masm will be paying half of the K18 million per year starting March 1, 2021 whereas Fam will be paying the other half on behalf of the players.
Bullets Chief Administrator, Albert Chigoga, expressed satisfaction with the process.
“We are waiting for the Masm cards, otherwise, we are satisfied all the requirements for the processing,” Chigoga said.
Silver Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Chimbali said they were waiting patiently.
“We hope by next week, everything will be completed,” Chimbali said.
According to Fam, each player will be covered up to a maximum of K1.4 million per year for a period of 10 years.
The project will cover 800 players from 16 Super League clubs, Women’s Regional Leagues and National teams.
Apart from supporting the players during injuries, the medical cover will also assist players during illnesses.
Injuries have robbed the country of several talented players.
In 2015, Sulom also signed an agreement with Masm on a similar project.
Then, Super League players were entitled to put maximum of 30 players and technical personnel.
Each club was expected to pay K54, 000 per month for the scheme but the scheme died a natural death after clubs failed to pay for it.
