Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said the newly-launched K1 billion Castel Challenge Cup will not stretch the 2023 football season calendar.
The competition is scheduled to run from July to December.
FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka was responding to a question on whether the tournament was factored in the calendar.
He said: “It shouldn’t be a problem, we will find space for it.
“Negotiations have been going on for sometime, so we anticipated that we would have this tournament.”
Apart from the TNM Super League, regional and district leagues, the local football calendar also includes competitions such as the Airtel Top 8 and FDH Bank Cup as well as Flames engagements.
Meanwhile, clubs have hailed the introduction of the cup, saying it will improve the spirit of competitiveness.
Mighty Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika said: “Apart from enhancing the spirit of competition, the prizes are also worth fighting for.
“K50 million for the overall winner is not that bad for our local standards. It will also help in talent identification and exposure.”
On his part, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers board and company secretary Chancy Gondwe said: “It is a record breaker. This is indeed raising the bar. Our thanks to all parties who were involved in securing this huge football sponsorship. Kudos to the FAM president and all executive committee members.”
In an interview, FCB Nyasa Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “It is highly remarkable. A good thing for our football in terms of enhancing competition.”
Castel Malawi and FAM signed a three-year deal with about K360 million being pumped annually and the winner carting home K50 million.
The runners-up will get K25 million while the semi-finalists will receive K10 million each. Quarter-finalists will each get K5 million.
Teams that will reach the round of 16 will each get K1.5 million.
District champions will get K750 000 while winners at regional level will take home K1 million each.
The golden boot winner and Player of the Tournament will each get K500 000 while Discovery of the Tournament will get half the amount.
Player-of-the-match from the round of 32 will be getting K50 000 each.
