Tigresses’ fundraiser raises K2.3m
Netball giants Tigresses have raised K2.3 million from their fundraising drive that concluded with a raffle draw at the College of Medicine (CoM) Sports Complex in Blantyre on Sunday.
The development means the fundraising drive was K700 000 short of the K3 million target meant for the Rainbow Paints Blantyre and Districts Netball League (BDNL) club’s operational costs, including transport to and from match venues, fees for training facilities plus hostel bills and school fees for six of their players.
Tigresses coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa yesterday said the club is now left with K1.83 million from the total income as they incurred costs amounting to K470 000 during the draw which saw 14 individuals winning various prizes, including an upright fridge, hampers from Candlex Limited and Axa Bus Service ticket from Blantyre to Lilongwe.
“Although we did not meet our target, we are happy that we have generated a sum that would go a long way in relieving our burden as regards the club’s operational costs,” she said.
“We thank everybody that contributed something to our fundraising campaign. Special thanks should go to Candlex and Axa Bus Service for helping us with some prizes for the raffle draw we conducted.”
In spite of that, she appealed to well-wishers to help them with more support so as to fulfil their needs.
“We are still calling for well-wishers to help us in any way possible. They can come forward to adopt a player to pay for her school fees, choose to pay for our transport to match venues or pay for our training venue,” Kaluwa said.
Tigresses have been without sponsorship since the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, who was their sole financier until 2012.
The former Presidential Netball National Champions have not won a league title since 2015. It is also hardly possible for them to win this year’s league title as they have completed their first round fixtures in the 10-team league on not-so-inspiring fifth place with 12 points after losing three games.
Defending champions Kukoma Diamonds lead the pack with 18 points from nine-straight victories.
