Kalombo committed to Nchalo United’s revival

Retired Fifa referee Bester Kalombo says he wants to help in the revival of Nchalo United Football Club for the sake of his home district, Chikhwawa.

He said this on Monday in Blantyre when he donated 14 pairs of soccer boots and a soccer ball to the team, all valued at K300 000 (US$750).

Kalombo said he is keen to see his home team end a 20-year trophy drought and return to the Super League for the first time in eight years.

However, the team, formerly known as Sucoma, has been exempted from this year’s Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League’s (SRFL) Premier Division after failing to pay registration fees.

Kalombo, who returned in March this year from Egypt where he worked as Confederation of African Football (CAF) referees development manager, said he would offer the team any support he can afford.

“I come from Thimu Village, Sub-Traditional Authority Ndakwera in Chikhwawa where I have also been elected chairperson for area development committee upon my return from Egypt. I have big responsibilities, including encouraging the youth to take football as a career.

“I have not seen a team from my home district winning a trophy in decades since Sucoma won the Kamuzu Cup in the 1990s. Football is my passion and I will try my best with the support from other well-wishers to revive such glory,” he said.

Nchalo United technical director Jones Napolo urged other well-wishers to join the former referee in the campaign.