Govt, FAM want more in Standard Bank trophy
Malawi Government and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) have asked Standard Bank to increase the sponsorship for its knockout trophy to make it the country’s richest tournament. But while hinting at continued sponsorship, the bank was elusive in its response to the request.
Principal secretary II in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Joster Njanji made the request during a dinner and dance Standard Bank organised to celebrate the competition’s 2013 finals at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe on Saturday.
“As government, while we appreciate and value your contribution highly, we wish you could increase the sponsorship package to maybe K70 million (about $175 000),” said Njanji amid applause from the packed room.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu was equally bold in asking the Standard Bank CEO Andrew Mashanda to consider hiking the stakes, but Nyamilandu put the figure at K50 million (about $125 000).
He thanked the bank for investing in football, saying the sport does a lot to unite the nation and take attention away from national problems.
“The people of Malawi are going through a bad time because of the Capital Hill cash-gate, but through the sponsorship, today Malawians are happy and united through football. You have managed to take away their attention from the national hurt and put a smile on their face. Continue the good work you are doing, only to try to increase the package to say K40 million or K50 million,” said Nyamilandu.
However, Mashanda could not directly respond to the request to increase the package save for saying the bank appreciates government and FAM’s role towards the success of the competition.
“Standard Bank thanks you most sincerely for providing an enabling environment that has made it possible for us to do business successfully over the years. We are indebted to your ministry for the guidance and support it renders to the cup. We pledge to continue working with your ministry to ensure that we further improve standards and quality of football in Malawi,” said Mashanda
He said the picture of success celebrated on Saturday night is a result of concerted efforts from all key stakeholders in sports administration and policy.
“If it were not for the confidence that Standard Bank has in the local FA, we would not be here. The fact that we increased our stake in the cup to K25 million [about $62 500] speaks volumes of the comfort levels we have in FAM,” said Mashanda.
He also thanked the teams for living up to the expectations with exciting football standards. Chairperson of the organising committee James Mwenda thanked the fans for behaving themselves and resisting violence.
