NBS Bank yesterday announced an increase in the NBS Bank Charity Shield sponsorship from K40 million to K60 million.
The bank’s deputy chief executive officer Temwani Simwaka said during symbolic presentation of the shield to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre yesterday, the 50 percent hike aims to affirm commitment towards impacting lives in communities through football.
The Charity Shield will be held this Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe between TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers and Castel Challenge Cup winners Mighty Wanderers FC.
This will be the first time for the competition to produce new champions as previous winners FCB Nyasa Bullets, who have been dominating since 2016, are out of the picture after failing to qualify.
“At NBS Bank, we believe in going beyond banking. We believe in showing up for our communities, in being present where it matters most, and in leading with heart,” said Simwaka who was accompanied by NBS Bank outgoing chief executive officer Kwanele Ngwenya.
“That is why this year, under the theme ‘We Care A Little More’, we are reaffirming our commitment to the people of Malawi not just through words, but action. Over the years, the Charity Shield has evolved into a powerful platform for social impact and we are proud to share the journey we have taken together.”
This is the fourth time the bank is bankrolling the annual event that marks the start of the new season and raises funds for a charitable cause.
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said they appreciate the strong partnership they have with NBS Bank.
“I am proud that the new partnership signed in 2024 for three years uses football as a tool for positive change. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of NBS Bank for their unwavering support and commitment, even in these challenging economic times,” said Haiya, who was accompanied by FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda.
The FAM president added that this is sweet news because the investment serves a greater purpose, a cause that extends beyond football stakeholders to touch the lives of Malawians across the country.
“It reaches the communities that mould, shape, and inspire future football stars. As an old African proverb says ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, allow me to rephrase this and say ‘It takes NBS Bank and FAM to impact the community through football.”
Last season, Bullets won the Shield for the seventh successive time after beating Silver 7-6 on post-match penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time.
