Business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira, through Ekhaya Farms Foods, Sunday honoured football legends at a luncheon held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe.
Mpinganjira rewarded each of the 17 legends with K1 million as a token of appreciation for their contributions towards Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, during their playing days.
In total, Mpinganjira spent K17 million to honour the football legends.
Out of the K1 million, K700, 000 was in cash whereas K300,000 is in the form of shopping vouchers to be used at Ekhaya shops. Each of the legends also received certificates of recognition.
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In his remarks, Mpinganjira said the legends deserved the recognition for their contribution to Malawi football.
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“The football legends did us proud; so, they deserve our support. I was touched that some of them are struggling despite contributing a lot to the nation,” Mpinganjira said.
The legends include those that won the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in 1978 and 1979, those that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in 1984 and those that won bronze at All Africa Games in 1987.
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire, who was the guest of honour, hailed Mpinganjira for the rare gesture.
“What Malawi did in 1978, 1979 and 1988 in football cannot be forgotten. It was awesome and unique, a permanent stamp or seal of Malawi’s achievements in sports. It was a stepping stone towards Malawi’s dominance in sports, particularly football, in Africa,” Mkandawire said.
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Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya also expressed gratitude to Mpinganjira for rewarding the football legends.
Only members of JK Productions were considered for the awards.
Speaking on behalf of JK Productions, Jim Kalua hailed the philanthropist.
The legends that were honoured included Kinnah Phiri, Young Chimodzi, Gilbert Chirwa, Chancy Gondwe, Spy Msiska, Lawrencce Waya, Austin Nyondo, Thom Kazembe and Mabvuto Lungu.
