Umsu games to run on deficit budget
University of Malawi Students Union (Umsu) games are set to begin at Chancellor College (Chanco) tomorrow, but they will run on a deficit budget as organisers have received a quarter of their normal K2 million (about $5 000) annual sponsorship from MalSwitch.
Umsu president Steve Kumvenji said yesterday they approached their sponsors late for the company to go through proper procedures concerning the release of funding.
“As Umsu new executive committee, we were not aware that it was union leaders and not college administrators that discuss sponsorship issues with MalSwitch. We only knew about it in July but, by that time, MalSwitch had already processed their budget for the 2013/14 fiscal year,” he said.
He, however, said the games will proceed because UNFPA and Airtel Malawi have offered to pay for security and public announcement (PA) system for the three-day event.
“UNFPA, through their Condomise Campaign, have offered to pay prize money amounting to about K500 000 (about $1 250) for all the seven sporting codes, but the problem is that the money might not be accessed on time by the winners because the organisation released the funds through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“Airtel Malawi will provide security and the PA system. With such support in place, we feel the games can proceed. Nevertheless, we are still looking for more sponsors,” Kumvenji said.
Umsu games will involve the hosts, defending champions The Polytechnic, College of Medicine, Kamuzu College of Nursing and guest participants Catholic University.
The event will feature sporting disciplines such as football, basketball, volleyball, chess, darts, netball and weightlifting and will be conducted under the theme: ‘Umsu against HIV and Aids; reducing the prevalence and spread of HIV and Aids among university of Malawi students.’
