Dream come true for FAM, Carlsberg to sponsor Flames
Carlsberg Malawi Limited has finally confirmed that it will renew its marriage with the Flames by becoming their official sponsor for the next three years.
Carlsberg Malawi senior brands manager (alcoholics) Twikale Chirwa is set to sign the agreement with FAM and government today at Protea Ryalls in Blantyre.
A fortnight ago, The Nation revealed that Carlsberg Malawi and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) had agreed on the deal, but both Chirwa and FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda were elusive on the matter, describing it as “rumour.”
However, Chirwa on Wednesday confirmed the development, saying: “We will be signing the agreement at a private function that will also be attended by the Minister of Sports.”
Chirwa also kept a tight lid on the package, saying: “Most of the information relating to the sponsorship will be divulged tomorrow in terms of the actual package, our expectations and other logistics.
“I would, therefore, be pre-empting the components if I go beyond that.”
On his part, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, said: “It will be a milestone and a dream come true because we have been hunting for the national team official sponsor for a long time.
“We are excited about the news and we cannot wait for the special occasion. We appreciate what Carlsberg is about to do. It has been a long wait. The future looks bright with a partner now on board, but let us cross the bridge first, lest we pre-empt tomorrow’s function.”
The Flames’ annual budget is in excess of K200 million (about $470 000), but in the past two years, FAM’s allocation for activities of national teams has been about K70 million (about $168 000).
For years, FAM has come under fire for failing to find a sponsor for the national team even when the Flames scaled lofty heights on the continental scene by qualifying for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations after seeing off the then African champions—Egypt’s Pharaohs— along the way.
Incredibly, Carlsberg Malawi had a stint with the Flames as official sponsor until 1993 — 21 years ago to be precise — when the likes of Nyamilandu, coach Young Chimodzi, Lawrence Waya, Chance Gondwe and Under-20 coach Ernest Mtawali were key members of the squad.
