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Silver make u-turn

 

Silver Strikers yesterday withdrew from the Fisd Challenge Cup only to reverse their decision hours later.

In their earlier communication to the organisers, Football Association of Malawi (FAM), the Bankers attributed their withdrawal to financial constraints.

Silver, who face MTV Max Bullets in Super League preliminaries at Silver Stadium on Saturday, made their earlier communication through a letter signed by their chairperson Ralph Tseka.

Silver players can now breathe a sigh of relief
Silver players can now breathe a sigh of relief

“Silver Strikers Football Club would like to sincerely thank FAM for accepting its application to participate in the Fisd Cup and the relentless efforts to identify sponsors for the various cups.

“However, it is with profound regret that we would like to inform you that [we] will not be able to fulfil Fisd Cup competition fixtures due to financial constraints as the cup competitions are costly as compared to the prize money. We wish to concentrate on the league games,” reads part of the letter which The Nation has seen.

But before noon, the Bankers went back to FAM apologising for the earlier decision.

“I cordially write to withdraw the letter which was sent to you expressing our intention of withdrawing from the Fisd Challenge Cup. We have now been assured of more funding to fulfil the fixtures. I regret any inconvenience our letter of withdrawal from the Fisd Cup may have caused,” reads an email sent to FAM at around 10:35 am by the club’s general secretary (GS) Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda.

The GS confirmed the change of heart but referred the matter to Tseka who was not available to shade more light.

FAM competitions subcommittee chairperson Jabbar Alide said the committee would meet on the matter.

“We have received the letter from Silver, but we are yet to meet as a committee to decide whether to accept their decision or not,” he said.

However, he advised clubs to plan before committing to participate in a competition.

“I think clubs do not plan for competitions and this is a general observation and not just Silver,” he said.

The cup’s national coordinator Charles Nyirenda wondered how it took Silver long to realise they would not be able to fulfil fixtures.

“And when did they realise there is no benefit in participating in Fisd Cup? I thought they spend millions of kwacha participating in TNM Super League and get peanuts at the end of the season.

“After all K10 million champions’ prize money after five matches including substantive gate collections isn’t  bad. And they were playing their first match at home! Well, I think Silver owe us a better explanation,” he said. n

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