The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has come close to meeting its MK1 billion fundraising target for the Scorchers, following a fundraising dinner and official send-off held in Lilongwe on Friday evening.
Speaking in an interview, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya said government funding covered 60 percent of the association’s budget, with the remainder raised from other stakeholders.
“Our budget was MK1 billion, and I can confirm that we have almost reached our target. We are remaining with just a few million as we speak. I believe we should reach the target by the end of the fundraising drive,” Haiya said.
He thanked government for its support, describing it as a reflection of its vision, leadership, and trust in the girl child.
“The support from the corporate sector was massive. The event was organized in just four days, but we have seen that the hole was almost full,” Haiya added.
Four corporate partners, including National Bank of Malawi, Nyasa Tobacco Buying Company, and Creck Hardware, bought platinum tables at MK20 million each, while seven companies purchased gold tables at MK10 million apiece.
First Lady Gertrude Mutharika contributed MK10 million, while agriculture minister, Loza Mbilizi gave MK5 million.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM), official sponsors of the Scorchers and the Women’s Championship, reaffirmed its commitment to backing the team and called on other corporate players to join in supporting the Scorchers ahead of their historic qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
NBM Marketing Manager Akosa Hiwa said the decision to invest in women’s football had not been an easy one, but had since proved worthwhile.
“NBM means going beyond banking. We believe in investing in something that can shape Malawi’s future. It wasn’t an obvious choice for us to sponsor women’s football. This sport has been under-supported because it attracts few sponsors, despite the immense talent that exists in women’s football,” Hiwa said.
“But when we ventured into this, we saw determination in our players — that they needed someone to push them and help them realize their dreams. Qualifying for WAFCON is the fruit of what we decided to invest in with this team.”
Hiwa said NBM takes pride in being the pioneering corporate sponsor of women’s football development in the country.
“We are humbled and proud to be the first to invest in developing women’s football. We are helping to build careers, create opportunities, and build a future generation that believes they too can do it if they start playing football.
“Deborah Henry and Ireen Khumalo were deservedly named in the Team of the Tournament at COSAFA. Sarah Mulimbika has moved to Green Buffaloes — these are signs that we have talent, evidence that investing in our women’s football can pay off,” Hiwa said.
She added that supporting the team was a collective responsibility.
“The responsibility of supporting our team belongs to all of us. It is a team effort. We should all contribute generously towards the Scorchers. We remain committed to sponsoring this team, and we are not going to leave you. Go out and make history. Go and inspire. Make Malawi proud.”
FAM also used the event to unveil the Scorchers’ limited-edition jerseys, which attracted brisk sales from attendees.
The Scorchers will compete at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in the team’s history, facing Nigeria, Egypt, and Zambia in the group stages.
Team captain Temwa Chawinga said the players are ready to perform well at the tournament, which kicks off in Morocco later this month.
