Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has pledged K100 million (about $57 110) each to clubs that will take part in Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club tournaments from this year.
The association’s president Fleetwood Haiya made the commitment on the sidelines of the Goshen-FAM Women’s National Championship finals at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
This will be the first time that FAM will contribute towards clubs’ participation in continental tournaments.
Said Haiya: “From now onwards, we are going to ensure that the country’s representatives are financially assisted because they represent the country.
year’s CAF Champions League qualifier
“We are committing $50 000, which is about K100 million.”
FCB Nyasa Bullets, who swept all silverware on the domestic scene last season, are eligible to take part in either the CAF Champions League or CAF Confederations Cup.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC have also shown interest to take part in a CAF inter-club tournament.
On the other hand, Ascent Academy, who won the National Women’s Championship on Sunday, could qualify for the subvention if they make it past the CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers.
Bullets, who joined five of the last six editions of the CAF Champions League, have since hailed FAM for the gesture.
The club’s chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “It is great news. The money will hugely supplement the CAF budget.”
Football marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya Sapao said in an interview that elsewhere, most associations offer subventions to their clubs that take part in continental tournaments.
He said: “That is how it ought to be because by so doing, clubs help to expose players, translating to the development of the game. That is the way to go.”
Last year, Bullets spent about K1 billion in their Champions League campaign.
