The Football Legends Association (FLA) has said the progress it has made within the three years of existence is testimony of the trust and confidence its stakeholders has in it.
The association’s board chairperson Jim Kalua said this during a fundraising gala dinner in Lilongwe last Saturday, stressing that they have made strides because partners and sponsors believe in its core objective to improve the welfare of football legends.
He said: “FLA is not simply about ceremonies, meetings and bringing football legends together. It is about dignity, security and standing together when one of us needs help.
“It is about ensuring that men and women who gave their talent, time and energy to Malawian football are never abandoned when the cheering stops. That is why are gathered here tonight to celebrate the progress we have made and, more importantly, to raise resources towards the welfare of legends.
“Our work has changed the lives of many legends who are no longer viewed as people who once entertained the nation. We are being increasingly recognised as an important part of Malawi’s football heritage with knowledge, experience and influence that can still greatly contribute towards the development of the game.”
Kalua thanked FLA’s 32 partners who have supported the association, in partucular business magnate and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira, who is also president of Mighty Wanderers FC.
He cited the skills development programme, setting up a business centre at Chitipi in Lilongwe by investing in K25 million screen printing and embroidery equipment as well as merchandise business, as some of the association’s successes in the past year.
Mpinganjira and Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata took turns to hail the FLA for the good work it is doing in improving the lives of football legends.
