The K2 million (about $5 000) Presidential Initiative for Sports (PIS) Beach Soccer Tournament kicked off on Saturday, according to Beach Soccer Malawi (BSM) general secretary David Saddo.
The tournament will be played on league basis.
Each of the country’s four leagues—Mangochi and Districts, Salima and Districts, Chintheche and Karonga—has been allocated K500 000.
Saddo said winners in each league will pocket K150 000 (about $375), runners-up will get K100 000 (about $250), third-placed teams will receive K60 000 (about $150) whereas fourth-placed outfits will collect K40 000 (about $100).
Each league will also get K150 000 for administration.
“There will not be national play-offs according to the format we have put in place. But three top teams in each league meet in the FAM Cup which will be played in July,” said Saddo.
BSM has also announced that individual prizes for top goalscorer, best goalkeeper, player of the tournament and promising talent will be paid using participation fees from the clubs.
“Each team is required to pay K5 000 [about $12.50] as participation fee and the money will be used for individual prizes. This is the arrangement which all leagues have consented to,” said Saddo.
He said the final three teams from each league will undergo a special camp from where beach soccer experts will identify players to form the national beach soccer team.
“We have requested FAM to organise a friendly game with Mozambique in November. We will use PIS and FAM Cup to identify players for the national team. We want to be in shape before November. It is only after we see how we perform against Mozambique when we can decide if we are ready for international competitions,” he said.
