Castel unveils 3-year cup tourney

Castel Malawi last evening set a new tone in local football with the unveiling of a three-year K1 billion cup tournament at Protea Hotel by Marriott Blantyre Ryalls.

The news was sweet to the ears of all who witnessed the bright new dawn in domestic football when Castel Malawi’s managing director Thomas Reynaud let the cat out of the bag.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to officially announce the Castel Challenge Cup. This event marks the beginning of an exciting journey for football fans and players alike.

“This cup is not just another sporting event, it is a celebration of the beautiful game that has the power to unite and develop football from the grassroot.”

The preamble was followed by a cathedral-hush silence as the patrons held their breath for the moment they had all been waiting for.

“To achieve this, I am pleased to announce that Castel is investing about K1 billion into this cup with over K320 million annually,” Reynaud said amid a wild applause.

“This is an enormous economic responsibility and great platform for talent development in Malawi. Our commitment is to make sure we support the government in talent development from the grassroots and that the business positively impacts the society.

“Internally, the company keeps on investing in its people and growing the business to make a bigger economic contribution to the nation.

“Over the next few weeks, we will witness some of the most exciting football matches ever played right from the rural areas. We will hear the cheers of fans from all corners of the country, as they support their favourite teams and players.”

Reynaud said as a company, they are challenging footballers in the country to live to their full potential.

“Lastly, I invite you all to celebrate with us as we officially sign this agreement tonight. Let us celebrate the spirit of competition, sportsmanship and unity.”

The annual package will be about K320 million with the national champions carting home K50 million.

The runners-up will get K25 million while th semi-finalists will receive K10 million each.

The quarter-finalists have not been left out in the cold as they too will get K5 million each.

Castel Malawi has also set aside prize money for winners in the districts and regions where each of the 31 district qualifiers will receive K750 000 while each of the 17 regional qualifiers will get K1 million.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu appeared lost for words.

He said: “Today is a great day for Malawi football. We have another reason to celebrate and rejoice! The level of sponsorship that Castel has just announced is unprecedented and record-breaking.

“We cannot wait to ignite the fire that was lacking to catapult the game of football to greater heights.

“This is humongous by our standards. It is a dream come true because the football family has been yearning for such lucrative sponsorship for a long time. I cannot stop pinching myself for such a windfall.”

Nyamilandu also said Castel Challenge Cup has embraced rural football by making them an integral part of the competition.

He said: “Castel has even gone further to surpass our expectations by setting aside prize money for winners from the districts and regions.

“I can assure you that with such a level of diversity and multifaceted approach, our game will never be the same again.

“There will be very stiff competition from bottom to the top and wholesome entertainment across the breadth of the country.

“Without any shed of doubt, the Castel Challenge Cup will bear good fruits by unearthing hidden talent and producing excellent talent that will make the game of football more competitive and exciting to the eye.”

Nyamilandu said this, in turn, will provide a great opportunity for the Super League teams to scout for talented players and in the process boost performance of the Flames.

Taking his turn, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire hailed Castel Malawi for the groundbreaking sponsorship.

He said: “The importance of this sponsorship cannot be overemphasised as it will play a big role in uplifting football standards in the country.

“We thank Castel Malawi for complementing government’s efforts to develop sports in the country and we hope the sponsorship will be used for its intended purpose.”