FAM to channel Egypt, Charity Shield matches’ proceeds towards Freddy victims
FAM has said part of the proceeds from the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) home qualifier against Egypt as well as the NBS Bank-sponsored Charity Shield will go towards victims of the Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Initially, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and NBS Bank plc had planned to channel proceeds of the 2023 Charity Shield towards the education sector.
But in a statement issued yesterday, signed by its president Walter Nyamilandu, FAM says after appreciating the extent of damage and the urgent need to support thousands of people who are in pain and suffering, it has been compelled to forgo those plans and help Tropical Cyclone Freedy victims.
Reads the statement in part: “FAM has resolved to donate proceeds of the 2023 NBS Bank FAM Charity Shield match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on 9th April 2023 to the Cyclone Freedy Victims.
“FAM also commits to donate part of the proceeds from the match between Malawi and Egypt at the Bingu National Stadium on 28th March for the same cause.
“ In addition, FAM will mobilise donations, financial and in kind from the fans coming to watch these matches.”
The statement further says just like last year, FAM and NBS Bank will work with the Malawi Red Cross Society, who will help channel the donations to the rightful beneficiaries.
The association also says the football fratenity has not been spared either as its internal stakeholders have also been directly impacted by the disaster.
Reads the statement: “Mhala Mpholia, a promising 15-year-old footballer of Genesis Football Acadamy, which plays in our Blantyre and District Mmera Mpoyamba Under-16 League, had his life prematurely terminated when his parents’ house was swept away in Manja Township.
“McDonald Mtetemera, Flames former international and now an elite coach and Enos Chatama, Malawi Under-17 [national team] assistant coach, have both lost their houses and properties due to the raging sweeping Cyclone Freddy waters in Blantyre.
“In addition to the three, thousands of our football fans are mourning and in great pain and distress.
“Our beautiful game of football is nothing without supporters, who are our biggest stakeholder and main soure of revenue.
“It is in this vein that the Football Association of Malawi, as a good corporate citizen, has decided to play an active role in mobilising resources, to compliment efforts by the Malawi government to mitigate the suffering of the victims.”
