Minister allays fears on Flames trip
Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda says he is hopeful that Flames’ funding for the Africa Nations Championship qualifiers will be approved before the team’s trip to Mozambique.
The Flames are scheduled to depart for Maputo this Saturday by chartered plane and in an interview on Tuesday, the minister said they have engaged Treasury on the matter.
“We took up the issue with Treasury last Friday and we got an assurance that the additional funding will be released within the week.
“So, there should not be fears that the team won’t make the trip [for their final round second leg].”
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said they are optimistic that the Flames will make the trip following the assurance they got from both the minister and the ministry’s Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe.
He said as a cost-cutting measure, they have chartered plane for the Mozambique trip.
He said they made their travel plans earlier to manage costs while waiting for feedback from the ministry.
The association requested for K201 million for the Chan qualifiers and K98 million for the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers’ participation in the Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa.
Said Nyamilandu: “The minister has given us assurance that we will receive funding this week.
“I believe they have made good progress and this has given us a lot of hope and encouragement.”
He said travelling by chartered plane is convenient and efficient.
“Flying time is one hour and 30 minutes compared to flying commercial through Johannesburg. We will also save on accommodation and meals,” he said.
The Flames were held to a one-all draw by the Mambas in the first leg on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In an interview on Tuesday, Chimwendo Banda said FAM’s K299 million extra funding request was presented at Treasury.
He said: “We are trying to push for additional funding and we took it up with Treasury on Friday. We are keenly following up on the issue.”
Commenting on the Scorchers, Nyamilandu said: “We are not sure how much will be released, but we are optimistic that the Scorchers will be supported as well for the Cosafa tournament in South Africa.”
The Scorchers got a boost last week when captain Tabitha Chawinga confirmed her availability will be available for the cosafa tournament, though only for a few matches.
