FAM rebuffs BB, Nomads on subsidy

FAM has said it will not subsidise travel costs of the Blantyre-based giants Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers when they clash in a Carlsberg Cup semi-final in Lilongwe on July 26.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka said the association’s sub-committee responsible for competitions, has approved the proposal to have the Blantyre derby played in Lilongwe since Carlsberg has also organised a street bash there to celebrate golden jubilee of the country’s independence.

“The game will be played in Lilongwe and the question of subsidy does not arise because section 8.1 of the competition’s rules, says it is the prerogative of the organising committee to determine the venue.

“Likewise, the other semi-final featuring Kamuzu Barracks and Zomba United will also be played at a neutral venue in Blantyre on July 27, so the issue of subsidies does not arise,” said Zakazaka.

He also said it is the sponsors that proposed the venue in line with their street bash which is happening the same weekend.

“The sponsor is pumping in K30 million towards the competition and they need to gain mileage in return. This sponsorship is not just about corporate social responsibility, it is supposed to be a win-win situation,” said Zakazaka.

Carlsberg Malawi Limited senior brands manager (alcoholics) Twikale Chirwa confirmed that they determined venues for the semi-finals.

“As we head towards the final stages, as sponsors we would want to make the best out of it in terms of excitement and mileage,” he said.

However, Bullets general secretary Harold Fote insisted that unless the organisers subsidise the costs, they will not travel to Lilongwe.

“Carlsberg’s position makes business sense, but we are saying the organisers (FAM) should find ways of subsidising the costs because we spend not less than K1 million for a match in Lilongwe. FAM should also consider the plight of the teams,” said Fote.

He said the team that will lose the semi-final match will spend K1 million and get K500 000 as prize, which he described as unfair.

Nomads chairperson George Chamangwana said they will only comment upon getting official communication from FAM.