57 teams register for Women Fifa/FAM Cup

At least 57 teams have registered for the K14 million Under-20 Women Fifa/FAM Cup expected to kick-off on October 22, National Women Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Severia Chalira has said.

The annual competition comprised players of all ages last year, but Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has decided to revert to the original format that will see under-20 girls in city schools and communities competing.

“The competition has received a good response from the public and, so far, 57 teams have registered. Mzuzu City has topped the list with 19 teams followed by Blantyre [14], Lilongwe [13] and Zomba [11]. Of course, some teams have not yet paid their K5 000 participation fees but, overall, this is a good turnout,” Chalira said.

However, she said the teams will not be allowed to take part  if they do not pay the fees by this Wednesday.

During the launch of the competition at FAM headquarters, Mpira Village in Chiwembe, Blantyre, the local soccer governing body’s executive committee member, Daud Ntanthiko, said the main objective is to bridge the gap between  junior developmental levels, such as grassroots and Under-17 Airtel Rising Stars championship, and the senior levels that involve elite clubs.

He said female referees, which FAM trained recently, will mostly officiate the matches.

“FAM is committed to developing the sport by ensuring that all funding from Fifa for women football is utilised for the intended purpose. The commercial department is currently talking to the corporate world for sponsorship of competitions so that we have more competitions for our girls,” said Ntanthiko.

Each city competition has been allocated K1.9 million, which will be broken down to K500 000 for city champions, K300 000 for runners-up and K150 000 for third placed team. Top goal-scorer and best player at city level will get K30 000 each.

City champions will qualify for the national championship where eventual winners will take K1 million first prize. Runners-up and third-placed teams will receive K500 000 and K 250 000, respectively. K50 000 will be up for grabs for each top goal-scorer and best player. n