24^th August 2016

PRESS RELEASE ON THE FISD CHALLENGE CUP

Introduction
The FISD Challenge Cup is a national Knockout Cup to be organised by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM). It is sponsored by FISD Limited Company to the tune of K45 million. FAM and FISD signed a five year contract for the sponsorship of the competition on 9^th June 2016. It will be played from the 2016 Football season between September and December.
Participation
The FISD Challenge Cup will be participated by 16 Super League and 29 District teams who won the 2016 presidential Cup district championship.
Registration
The Districts teams will register with the Regional Football Associations in their respective regions by filling a form and paying a registration fee of K20, 000.00.
The Super League teams will register directly with the FAM Secretariat by filling a form and paying a registration fee of K75, 000.00
Registration for both categories will close on 4^th September 2016.
Player Eligibility
Super League teams: Each team will use players registered with the Super League of Malawi and will use Sulom registration cards for identification.
District Champions: The district champions will use players it registered during the Presidential Cup but will also be at liberty to beef up with any other players based in their respective districts who play for other teams in other leagues including regional leagues, but not Super League. FAM will produce special registration cards for the 29 teams.
Format
The Cup will be played on knockout basis in the following phases:
Districts Preliminary: The Districts teams will play in a regional championship in their respective regions to come up with eight teams that will qualify for the national phase as follows:

• South 3
• Centre 3
• North 2

Super League Preliminary: The 16 TNM Super League teams will be drawn against each other with the top eight teams from last season seeded. This phase will produce eight teams that will qualify for the national phase.
National Phase: The eight district teams and the eight Super league teams will now go into the national draw from round of 16 all the way to final.
Prizes
The prizes for the competition will be distributed as follows:

Other Incentives: Each of the 29 district teams will get a starter pack of K100, 000.00
 
Calendar of events
The calendar of events for the competition:
June 2016:  Sponsorship announcement
24^th August: Announcement of Format and start registration
6^th September: Draw Preliminary Round both Regional Phase and Super League
17^th September: Launch and Kickoff Regional Phase
1^st/ 2^nd October:  Preliminary Super League teams.
4^th October: National Draw
15^th– 16^th October- Regional Finals
22^nd– 23^rd October- National Round of 16
4^th – 5^th November- Quarterfinals
19^th– 20^{th November} – Semifinals
10^th December – Final
For more details contact the undersigned on Email: generalsecretary@fam.mw 
Signed By:
Suzgo Nyirenda
General Secretary