Mpinganjira rewards football legends with K17 million

Business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira, through his company Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited. yesterday rewarded 17 Flames legends with K1 million each.

Speaking during a lencheon to honour the legends  at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe yesterday, he said the rewards are in recognition of their achievements by, among others, winning  the Confederation of  East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988.

Each legend received K700 000 cash and K300 000 Ekhaya Farms Foods shopping vouchers.

Mpinganjira, who is also president of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC, said:  “As a country, we should make it a deliberate effort to honour our former players who did this country proud.

“I am appealing to all companies and individuals to support our legends who brought smiles and joy through their exploits on the football pitch. Let us help by making their lives better.”

He said he has fond memories of how Malawi won the Cecafa Challenge Cup in 1978 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

“I remember it was a free-kick taken by Barnett Gondwe and Kinnah Phiri rose to head home the winner and everybody [in the stadium] that day sang the song Tiri Pambuyo pa Kamuzu [We are behind Kamuzu]. So, I am very happy that today we have met,” said Mpinganjira.

Taking his turn, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire thanked Mpinganjira for complementing government efforts to better the lives of former players.

He said: “This is the first-ever award ceremony to award players. I am honoured to preside over such an initiative. It takes the mind of a patriotic citizen like Mpinganjira to initiate such a programme. We really are grateful.

“I believe that you, sir, qualify to be in the sphere of legends because of what you have done towards the development of sports over the years.”

The minister said the country will never forget what the Flames achieved when they won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Said Mkandawire: “It was awesome and unique. It was a stepping stone towards Malawi’s dominance in football. However, the most unfortunate thing is that we are not progressing and the question that comes to mind is what went wrong?”

Football Legends Association founder and board chairperson Jim Kalua also thanked Mpinganjira, saying: “You have made us proud by recognising us and for this, we thank you so much.”

He said for the organisation to achieve its goals, it needs support from the corporate world and well-wishers.

“We have ambitious plans such as putting our members on medical scheme and carrying out charity programmes, but for all this to happen, we need finances,” said Kalua.

He said the association has made significant strides by appointing a board, coming up with a constitution, holding motivational talks with the youth, being involved in football development programmes and assisting former players in times of need.

FAM president Fleetwood Haiya thanked Mpinganjira for setting the pace to recognise excellence.

“These awards will act as an inspiration and motivation to the current crop of players and will work to break into the legendary status space,” he said.