K25m each to BB, Nomads from JB
As if to underline her ‘n’zotheka’ slogan, President Joyce Banda yesterday pledged a K25 million (US$59 524) starter pack to each of the local football powerhouses, Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.
Speaking during an audience with the two teams at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre last evening, Banda said: “I would like to say that I am ready to set the ball rolling to help the two teams raise funds, not next month, but immediately.
“You are the boys that have made our nation proud. Why, then, must we not help you to raise K50 million? Iyayi, ine ndiyipeza (I will find it). If Wanderers can get K25 million and Bullets K25 million, then in the next two months, you should be fine. I want you to know that this has nothing to do with politics.”
The President said it is sad that the two teams that have rich history, are struggling financially.
“These are the two teams that have given entertainment to the people for 50 years and they deserve respect and honour.
“There are so many people that can help us raise funds. I brought the richest woman who has overtaken Oprah Winfrey, I also brought Jack Brewer, but sadly nobody was ready to receive him, I say this because these are the people that we must engage,” she said.
Banda also wondered why the two teams could not take advantage of her background as a wife to a former international footballer (Richard Banda) to seek her help.
“So when Information Minister Hon. [Brown] Mpinganjira approached me to say you wanted to have an audience with me, I said this is what I have been waiting for. However, what worries me most are issues of violence, we must try and desist from violence,” she said.
Speaking earlier, on behalf of the two clubs, Bullets trustee Gaston Mwenelupembe and his Wanderers counterpart Patrick Jumbe appealed to the President to help them source sponsorship and pieces of land where they can gradually construct their own stadia.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for this opportunity to allow us to come and see you.
“It is not easy to run a football club and we are talking in excess of about K45 million to K50 million. So, briefly, what we are requesting is sponsorship, pieces of land and mode of transport.
“On our part, we have a joint fund-raising committee which advocates no violence to football and we are in the year of elections and we shall continue to spread that message,” said Mwenelupembe.
Jumbe thanked Banda for being the first President to have an audience with the two teams together.
He appealed to her to consider reviewing the 25 percent levy that is collected from government stadia, saying it is on the higher side.
Mpinganjira, who was the facilitator of the meeting, noted that the two teams have been the core of domestic football, but sadly, are being overtaken by teams that enjoy government sponsorship due to financial constraints.
The two teams were represented by players, officials and supporters’ committee leaders.
Also present at the function were People’s Party provincial governor for the South, Isaac Nyakamera, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu, his GS Suzgo Nyirenda, Sulom GS Williams Banda and treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda.
