Silver revel in increased funding
RBM disclosed on Monday that it had made “a substantial” hike in funding for the bankers team from K30 million ($180 000) last year.
Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Perks Ligoya was over the moon when asked for his reaction to Silver’s triumphant return to Lilongwe after ‘switching off’ Escom United 1-0 at the Blantyre’s gaint Kamuzu Stadium through Rodrick Gonani’s killer strike.
“Last year’s sponsorship was K30 million [about $180 000] and in December we made a substantial increase of the team’s sponsorship for 2012. I am extremely happy that in my third year as the governor, this is the second title they have won,” he said while keeping a tight lid on the actual revised package.
“It took the management of RBM a lot of effort to convince our board to continue supporting the team and we have been increasing their sponsorship. I am sure the board will be happy that when we fight for the club in the board, it is worth it.”
The Bankers seized the championship on 48 points on the last day of the league. They overcame internal squabbles that cost coach Dan Dzinkambani’s job twice, paving the way for caretakers, Sibusiso Padambo, Itai Nundwe, Hellings Mwakasungula and Thom Mkorongo.
“I told the team to put everything in God’s hands. The squabbles to do with the coaches were like a fight between believing in God and believing in something else,” said Ligoya who promised to throw a party for the ‘heroes’.
And, should the governor succeed in his proposal, to be made through the Ministry of Sports, Silver might have an audience with President Bingu wa Mutharika.
“As an ex-Reserve Bank boss, I am sure the President will be happy to receive the trophy. I will seek an audience with relevant authorities, pleading with them that we have to present the trophy to HE and ask for his continued support,” Ligoya said.
In an earlier interview on Sunday, Silver chairperson Dr. McDonald Mafuta-Mwale said the next challenge was to put the team’s house in order in view of last season’s internal conflicts.
“We need to clean up the system and come back stronger next season. If it were not for the squabbles, this should have been the easiest championship for us to win,” said Mafuta-Mwale whose side is among the few sponsored Super League teams alongside Azam Tigers, Civo United, Mafco, Red Lions, Blue Eagles, Cobbe Barracks and Moyale Barracks.
