|
|
|
Flames line up 2 friendlies
By
Our Reporter - 05-04-2002 |
|
|
Minister of Sports Moses Dossi has said his ministry will work with Football Association of Malawi (Fam) to organise at least 12 friendly matches with neighbouring countries before the national team leaves for the United Kingdom in July.
Dossi said when he opened a Massa Talent Development Programme the move was part of the national team’s rebuilding exercise in preparation for the Cosafa and African Nations Cups.
“We would like the national team to play as many friendly games as possible with teams like Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Uganda from this month to next month and then Zimbabwe during the independence celebrations in July,” he said
“It is our hope that by doing this we can win the Cosafa Cup at least and then grab the African Nations Cup next year.”
For that objective to be realised, the minister said, there is need for companies, organisations and other stakeholders to assist with sponsorship. He led by example by donating a K10,000 cheque to Fam while MTL Wanderers chair Humphrey Mvula has donated five bags of rice.
“We know Fam has no money to keep the boys in camp and we are doing this so that other interested parties should emulate the gesture which will help the team to stay in camp while using its own food instead of eating at a hotel,” said Dossi.
Fam general secretary Chris Kamphinda Banda said the development was welcome since Fam is cash-strapped and was finding it difficult to accommodate the team without any outside help.
“Of course we would like to intensify our preparations for Cosafa and African Nations Cup but we are financially handicapped and any proposal to assist the team is very welcome,” he said.
There are plans to have fund-raising matches between national team probables and possibles to be played in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu before the international friendly games.
“We would like Fam to raise funds and the government will not take the 25 percent cut but leave everything to the association. What they will need is money to settle water bills and so on,” said Dossi.
“In addition to that, we have seen some good young players of late who are capable of playing and we would like to see if they can make it into the national team.” |
|
|
|
|
|
