The Football Association of Malawi has increased annual subventions for its 10 member associations (MAs) f rom K20 million to K30 million, representing a 50 percent hike.
This was announced during the association’s budget consultative meeting with its affiliates at Bingu National Stadium in Li longwe on Saturday.
This was the first time FAM held the session before the start of the financial year which runs between January and December.
targeting grassroots
During the meeting, FAM presented a K12. 4 billion revenue budget and is projecting to spend K11.6 billion in 2025 with focus on youth development and national teams’ tournaments’ participation.
The budget highlighted six key areas where funding was to be sourced, citing world football governing body Fifa, government, Confederation of African Football, sale of merchandise, TV and broadcasting rights and sponsorship/partnership with the corporate world.
FAM expects to get K700 million from CAF, K3.4 billion from government, K3 billion from FIifa projects and the rest from Fifa forward operations funds, sponsorships, replica sales and other business ventures.
Speaking during the meeting, FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said youth development and national teams participation are the main focus in the first year of the association’s strategic plan implementation.
All the national teams are expected to be in action next year with the Scorchers’ return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers being the main highlight.
He said: “Previously, these meetings were being held while the financial year had started, but I promised that from now onwards we will be having them before the start the year and I am happy that it has happened.
“We are targeting grassroots football as well as referees and coaches’ education, among others.”
Haiya said they plan to participate in 13 international competitions next year and also fund 10 leagues they supported this year.
FAM applied for 15 Fifa projects which, if approved, will bring K 3 billion in revenue to the association towards the development of the game at the grassroots level.
Over K400 million has been allocated to Under-16 FAM girls and boys football development.
Despite the increased subvention, FAM has challenged its affiliates to source extra sponsorship to cater for their activities.
National Football Coaches Association chairperson Aubrey Nankhuni hailed FAM for the increased subvention, adding that as an association, they are already coming up with initiatives to source extra funding
