FDH Bank doubles Flames’ support
Malawi national football team official sponsors FDH Bank plc have doubled the Flames’ sponsorship package from K60 million to K120 million per year for the next three years.
FDH Bank plc deputy managing director George Chitera yesterday said in Blantyre they decided to increase the sponsorship following the Flames success which has seen the team qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals and Qatar World Cup group stages.
He said: “This journey started way back in 2016. As FDH Bank, we normally look at the potential. It’s not just about our customers, it is also about society.”
Chitera said the home-grown bank is proud to be associated with the Flames’ success.
He said: “That’s why we have Flames Friday every week when all our employees across the country wear original Flames replica jerseys. And we are proud of that.”
FDH Bank plc started bankrolling the Flames in 2016 with an annual K30 million sponsorship.
The bank doubled the sponsorship to K60 million in 2019.
The bank is also sponsoring FDH Bank Cup to the tune of K90 million for the next five years.
This means in total, the bank is pumping K810 million into football.
“It’s not that FDH has money. It’s about the impact. We look beyond the bottom line. What matters is what that K360 million can do. When the Flames lose a game, everyone complains, when they win a game, you see what happens,” said Chitera.
On his part, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said FDH is a serious partner of Malawi football.
He said: “You have walked with FAM and the national team side by side during good and bad times. FDH Bank never looked back.
“When other friends were leaving, you never left. There are others who only want to be associated with us when things are rosy. But not with you. Win or lose, FDH Bank is always with FAM.”
“FDH Bank deserves a special place in Malawi football. That is why we decided that FDH Bank should be the official bank of FAM.”
Nyamilandu said the sponsorship increment will go a long way in helping the team prepare for the Cameroon Afcon finals.
FAM has established a task force to mobilise resources for the Flames’ preparations for Afcon and World Cup qualifiers.
Nyamilandu said the FDH Bank’s sponsorship is a starting point.
He said: “We are aware that we cannot leave the Flames sponsorship to government alone. This is why a special task force for the Flames was formed to help mobilise resources for the Flames preparations and participation at Afcon.
“FDH Financial Holdinds Limited head of marketing Mr Levie Nkunika is also a member of the task force. This augurs well with our mission.”
