Clubs join minister in lobbying for prize money increase

Some football teams have joined Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda in calling on sponsors to increase prizes for competitions.

The minister made the call during the Nyasa Big Bullets Awards Gala last Sunday, saying while government appreciates the support from companies, the money they invest in prize money is “peanuts” considering how much the clubs spend to prepare and fulfill the games.

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “Times have changed. Managing the operations of teams is costly and the prizes are not inspiring.

“In some cases, clubs are left with overdue payables to the players and other stakeholders at the end of the season. Taking all this into consideration, the plea by the minister is timely.

“I guess the minister was simply drumming up support for the teams since the welfare of sports teams and organisations is his concern.

“However, perhaps government also needs to work on policies that would address the concern raised by the minister on behalf of clubs.”

Southern Region Football Association Division One side Nsanje United vice-chairperson Patrick Khambadza said the minister could not have put it any better.

He said: “It is an issue that needs to be urgently looked into because while we appreciate the sponsorship from companies, the take home, in terms of prizes leaves a lot to be desired.

“Just recently, we took part in the Nyasa Capital Finance Cup and we received K100 000 for finishing fourth after spending over K1 million.”

Civil Service United general secretary Ronald Chiwaula said: “We support the suggestion because honestly speaking, the cost of living has gone up and surely the current prizes are way too little to cover the cost of meeting the expenses of fulfilling fixtures.

“As clubs we have always tried to lobby for the revision of the prizes to no avail. We hope this time it will work since it is coming from the minister.”

However, Chiwaula and Silver Strikers chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Super League of Malawi should have been in the forefront of advocating for improved prizes.

Said Chiwaula: “It shouldn’t take the whole minister to make such a plea, it is the responsibility of league-runners and FAM. It shows that they are not doing enough.”