Airtel Malawi has committed to sponsoring the Airtel Top 8 and taking the country’s football to greater heights.
Airtel Malawi managing director Aashish Dutt said this on Wednesday night during the Airtel Top 8 Zamadolo Season 7 Awards at Sunbird Mount Soche, where outstanding sports journalists and players were honoured.
Last year, the mobile service provider renewed its three-year sponsorship with an increased package of K655 million from the previous K234 million, with the winners’ purse being K30million in 2024, K35 million in 2025 and K40 million in 2026.
Said Dutt: “Our commitment to football in Malawi goes beyond sponsorship. It is about creating opportunities for young athletes, enhancing the quality of the sport and ensuring that Malawian football continues to grow and shine on regional and international platforms.
“As we look ahead, Airtel Malawi remains committed to nurturing talent and elevating Malawian football to greater heights. Let’s continue to dream big, play hard and make history together!”
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said the association is excited with Airtel’s continued trust in football and he assured that the association will remain transparent and accountable in the organisation of the annual competition.
“As FAM, we will continue to stand by our ethos of ensuring all the money that comes through us is accountable and that we will always run the competition professionally,” he said.
The awards saw Yankho Singo of FCB Nyasa Bullets decorated as Season 7’s player of the tournament and bag K1.5 million while Chinsinsi Maonga of Silver Strikers, who top -scored with three goals, got K1 million.
Bullets were crowned champions for the seventh successive season after beating Silver Strikers on post-match penalties.
In media awards, Nation Publications Limited (NPL) sports editor Garry Chirwa won the best print journalist for the fifth consecutive time. Overall, this was his sixth award in seven seasons.
Tadala Manda of Mibawa Television (TV) was the only female awardee after bagging the best TV journalist accolade while Foster Mkwamba of MIJ FM and Romeo Umali of MBC emerged the best radio and online journalists, respectively. Times Group’s Emmanuel Simpokolwe was the best photojournalist.
