FAM has announced that the budget for the Presidential Football Cup has increased to K70 million (about $180 000).
However, government has still allocated K60 million (about $155 000) for the annual competition and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) aims to meet the K10 million (about $25 641) deficit through registration of teams.
Announcing the modalities of the competition on Friday, FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed the increase of registration fees that will see teams at district level parting with K5 000 each, up from K1 000, representing a 400 percent increase.
The fees for women and youth tournaments has been hiked to K5 000 from K2 000 whereas those for regional and Super League teams have risen by 50 percent from K5 000 to K7 500 and K10 000 to K15 000 respectively.
“This has been done to meet the K10 million shortfall due to the increase in the cost of living that has led to the rise in operational costs such as officiation and transport.
“The price of equipment such as the balls used for the tournament has also gone up to K30 000 from K5 000; hence, the review of the registration fees,” said Nyirenda.
He also said in a move to cut on other costs, the association has scrapped off some individual awards such as player of the tournament as well as best defender and best midfielder.
However, the award of top goal scorer has been maintained.
The FAM CEO said registration starts immediately and will go on up to the end of the month.
He said the initial draw is set for early next month whereas kick off is slated for April 6 and will run up to the end of June. The national phase, which will involve Super League teams, will start on May 13.
It is expected that seven top teams from the South, five from the Centre and four from the North will enter the draw for last 16 to be played on the weekend of June 1-2. The quarter-finals will be held on the weekend of June15-16 followed by semis and finals in the subsequent weekends.
Big Bullets are the defending national champions. They edged Moyale Barracks 1-0 in the final match.
