NEWS | SPORTS | 

• Sponsorship increased to K50M 
• Champion to pocket K12M

By Bright Mfune

Soccer lovers in the country have all the reasons to smile as Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development has increased this year’s FISD Soccer Challenge cup from K45 to K50M.  

Breaking the sweet news to the members of the press at FAM offices in Blantyre on Friday, FISD’s Marketing & Communication Manager, Wezi Chiumia said the 2017 edition is poised to be more successful than the maiden edition.  

“This year we have pumped K50 Million and the winner will walk away with K12 Million; an increase from last year’s K10 Million. We feel such an increase will make matches more competitive,” she said.

During the ceremony, the audience was also briefed on the format as well as some important dates for the cup’s calendar.  

According to the announcements, the cup will be launched on 30^th of September 2017 at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa.

The cup’s calendar further indicates the cup will be participated by a total of 57 teams comprising 16 teams from the TNM Super League, 12 teams from the Premier Division teams (which means The top four teams in the three Regional Leagues as of 28th August 20 17) and 29 District teams who won the 2017 presidential Cup district championship. 

The draw for the tourney is scheduled on the 27^th of September, 2017. 

On issue of the registration, the Districts and Regional Leagues will register with the Regional Football Association 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 run from 21st September and closes on the 26th September 2017.

Meanwhile according to the Northern Region Football Association, 7 teams are yet register at district level. The teams are Katutula FC (Chitipa), Baka City from Karonga, Katowo FC (Rumphi), K.K United from Mzuzu, Jenda from Mzimba, Mwawianyao (Nkhata-Bay), and Red Devils from Likoma. 

At regional level, four teams which are yet to register are Chilumba Barracks FC, Bolero United, Karonga United, and Rumphi Medicals.

The 2017 edition of the FISD Challenge Cup will be played between September and December with the winner catering K12 million, whilst the runners up will pocket K5 Million.

Mighty Beforward Wanderers are the defending champions of the cup, having seen off Kamuzu Barracks 4-3 via post-match penalties.