Clubs demand more from Charity Shield

Nyasa Big Bullets and Kamuzu Barracks (KB) are demanding more revenue fee for their appearance in the Chifundo Charity Shield which took place on Saturday at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

The two clubs were offered K1 million each, but they are demanding an additional K1.5 million each from the proceeds of the charity cause.

Bullets general secretary Albert Chigoga and KB team manager Francis Nthukwa Shawa confirmed the development yesterday, saying they felt K1 million was on the lower side.

Said Chigoga: “Much as we appreciate that this was for a noble cause for charity by FAM [Football Association of Malawi], we felt they should have given us more considering the expenses we incur in preparing for such games.

“So, we engaged FAM to consider giving us an additional K1.5 million and they understood our concerns. They asked us to wait until they finalise the reconciliations so that they could determine how much they can give us.

“But it was an amicable meeting. It was not like we were forcing them and in future, I would suggest that FAM should be engaging the teams when they are planning for the event,” he said.

Chigoga also said apart from the K1 million appearance fee, his team’s travel and accommodation costs were met by FAM   

On his part, Nthukwa Shawa said: “We are waiting to hear from FAM, the ball is in their court as organisers because they stated that it will depend on how much they will make after reconciliations. So, it is not a big issue but in future, they should consider involving the teams from the early stages to ensure that we are on the same wave length.” 

FAM director of finance and administration Christopher Mdolo said the local football governing body was only obliged to give the two teams K1 million each.

“We have given the two clubs K1 million each as per our agreement. Apart from that, I do not know anything about the clubs requesting for extra K1.5 million each. That is news to me,” he said.

Proceeds from the Charity Shield will go towards Kachere Rehabilitation Centre in Blantyre. n