Sulom, 3 clubs get Fam grants

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and three clubs Moyale Barracks, Extreme and Ekwendeni Hammers have received Football Association (Fam) professionalisation grants after fulfilling conditions, Fam announced on its official website Tuesday.

Sulom has received K10 million as their 50 percent first instalment whereas the three clubs each got K2.5 million.

The association’s general secretary Alfred Gunda said the grants are to fulfil its pledge to support the elite league.

“The grant was set on a comply and access basis. Just like Fam undergoes a compliance and access process to secure funding from Fifa, the member associations and their stakeholders are required to comply with Fam regulations on financial support to access their allocations.

“This was aimed at ensuring that principles of governance and professionalism are enhanced at our member associations. The principle to underline is that this is not free money that should be used anyhow. For this financial support to make great impact, there is a need for continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly,” Gunda said.

Sulom Treasurer Allie Mwachande confirmed receipt of the K10 million grant.

“Indeed, we received the first instalment from Fam. This is good news. Some of the clubs have also started receiving the money,” Mwachande said.

This means other 13 clubs are yet to fulfil conditions to access the funds.

Cash strapped Extreme, Chairperson Prosper Chisale was excited.

“We will use the money for players’ salaries as well as travel for matches. This will ensure that we fulfil fixtures in the TNM Super League,” he is quoted as saying.

Extreme will host defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Civo Stadium this Saturday.

In December last year, at its executive meeting, Fam approved the allocation of special sponsorship grants to super League and K25 million to each of the three regional associations.

Each of the Super League teams will get K5 million.