The Football Association of Malawi acknowledges the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in the Southern part of Malawi.
Recent reports released by the Department of Disaster Management (DODMA) indicate that over 438 people have died. 918 are injured and 282 are still missing. Over 345,183 people have been displaced and living in temporary shelters. The vulnerable children, women and the elderly are worst affected. They are at their lowest moments of life and desperately need urgent support as homes, properties and life – supporting necessities have been lost.
The football fratenity has not been spared either as our internal stakeholders have also been directly impacted by the natural disaster.
Mhala Mpholia, a promising 15 year old footballer of Genesis Football Acadamy, which plays in our Blantyre and District Mmera Mpoyamba Under 16 League, had his life prematurely terminated when his parents’ house was swept away in Manja township.
McDonald Mtetemera, Flames former international and now Elite Coach and Enos Chatama, Malawi Under 17 Assistant coach, have both lost their houses and properties due to the raging sweeping Cyclone Freddy waters in Blantyre.
In addition to the three above, thousands of our football fans are mourning and in great pain and distress. Our beautiful game of football is nothing without supporters who are our biggest stakeholder and main soure of revenue.
It is in this vein that the Football Association of Malawi, as a good Corporate Citizen, has decided to play an active role in mobilizing resources, to compliment efforts by the Malawi government, to mitigate the suffering of the victims.
FAM has resolved to donate proceeds of the 2023 NBS Bank FAM Charity Shield match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on 9th April 2023 to the Cyclone Freedy Victims.
This year FAM and NBS Bank initially planned to target the education sector, after supporting the Victims of Cylone Idai with Charity Shield donation in 2022. However after appreciating the extent of damage and the urgent need to support the thousands of people who are in pain and suffering, FAM has been compeled to forgo those plans and help the Cyclone Freedy Victims.
FAM also commits to donate part of the proceeds from the 2023 AFCON qualifying match between Malawi and Egyt at the Bingu National Stadium on 28th March for the same cause.
In addition FAM will mobilize donations, financial and in – kind from the fans coming to watch these matches at Bingu National Stadium. Just like last year, FAM with NBS Bank will work with the Malawi Red Cross Society who will help channel the donations mobilized to the rightful beneficiaries. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are mourning and we pray for quick recovery to those who have been injured.
