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Government has backtracked on its earlier stance not to fund the Flames’ participation in the world’s biggest sporting showpiece, the World Cup.
Fam spokesman George Kaudza Masina confirmed on Tuesday that government has reconsidered its earlier decision and will fund the Flames trip to Ethiopia for Sunday’s preliminary first leg which is expected to cost about K4 million.
“Government, through Sports Council, communicated to us recently that it would take care of the Ethiopia trip and we are relieved. It’s a timely respite because if we had withdrawn, we were going to pay dearly,” said Kaudza Masina.
Council’s executive secretary George Jana said in a separate interview that the decision had been made reluctantly.
“There was a meeting involving Council, [the ministry] and Treasury recently where it was agreed that we should provide funding for the national team since Fam had already confirmed participation.
“It was noted that the consequences of withdrawing from the tournament would have been more expensive than the actual participation and therefore we reconsidered the decision, though reluctantly,” explained Jana.
He further explained that it was agreed between Council and Fam that the K2 million which the association got from President Bakili Muluzi for fans’ free entry at Chichiri Stadium to watch the Cosafa Castle Cup first leg final against Zimbabwe be used to pay for outstanding bills like camping costs and players’ allowances.
Government wrote to Fam through Sports Council advising the association not to take part in the 2006 World Cup because government would not be able to fund the Flames’ participation due to financial problems.
Jana also said government wanted to discourage the tendency by national associations to ignore government whenever they are entering competitions.
“We want to ensure that associations should get the greenlight from government before they commit themselves to joining any tournament that may require government funding,” Jana was quoted as saying last month.
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