FDH Bank plc has disbursed K500 million to the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) for distribution to the 16 FDH Bank Premiership clubs ahead of the 2026 season on April 25.
This marks the first time in the league’s history for clubs to receive their subvention before the campaign which kicks off Saturday.
FDH Bank plc acting head of marketing Ronald Chimchere in an interview yesterday said they decided to release the funds in advance deliberately, taking into account the financial challenges that clubs face.
He said: “As a bank with a lot of experience in football, coming from a successful FDH Bank Cup, we know what clubs go through in terms of logistics.
“We understand the financial constraints that clubs go through, especially during this period as the season is starting. We know the first week is hectic logistically, as clubs have not yet collected revenue from the gate collections.”
Almost half of the 16 topflight league clubs have no stable sponsorship.
Apart from FDH Banks’ K20 million subvention to each club, Football Association of Malawi also pays another K15 million.
president Gilbert Mittawa during the sponsorship unveiling. | Nation
Chimchere said theirs will act as a start-up.
“We also have clubs coming from the lower leagues that badly need funds. So, we did this to ensure that all teams have funds available for their logistics,” he said.
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda in an interview yesterday said they already disbursed the first tranche of the subventions.
He said: “Sulom is grateful to FDH Bank plc for the support and we can ensure them that the funds will be used prudently by all clubs.”
Meanwhile, Chitipa United general secretary Watson Kabaghe said the early disbursement will serve as a huge motivation to both the club and the players.
“This is a big morale booster for clubs like ours that rely on the community for funding. Getting the subvention before the season starts helps us plan better and meet our obligations,” he said.
Newly-promoted Lilongwe-based Luanar Mitundu Baptist chief executive officer Edgar Chipalanjira also thanked FDH Bank.
“It’s a move in the right direction. If the subvention is released in time, it positively aids build-up to the season,” he said.
Delays in subvention payments have been a source of concern among clubs, often affecting player welfare and logistics.
FDH Bank plc is sponsoring the league at K2 billion with champions set to pocket K200 million up from previous sponsors TNM plc’s K100 million.
