Sports and Games

Legends body in K7 million shortfall

Legends body in K7 million shortfall
KALUA—We are appealing to well-wishers

Football Legends Association (FLA) has disclosed that it has a K7 million shortfall in its budget.

This comes at a time the legends are expected to host their Zambian counterparts in an international friendly match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

FLA Board Chairperson and founder Jim Kalua said the body had, so far, raised K17 million out of the K24 million that is needed.

“We are appealing to well-wishers to assist us to finalise logistics for the match,” Kalua said.

Kalua hailed companies and individuals that had supported the body ahead of the clash.

“We have received overwhelming support from the corporate world and some individuals,” he said.

According to Kalua, they expect to generate K11 million through replica jerseys.

“We have raised a lot through the sale of replica jerseys. On a special note, we would like to thank Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire and Member of Parliament Mike Bango for their support,” he said.

Kalua said Creck Sporting Club and Fomo Foundation supported them with K2 million and K1.5 million, respectively.

Victoria Forex has donated K1 million to the association whereas Zone Farm Pub and Restaurant, Ecoteck Investments and Champions Stadium have each donated K500,000 to the body.

Mpira Mmudzi Mwathu has provided 30 cases of water ahead of the match.

Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has provided a bus and equipment for the match.

FLA engaged Fam to facilitate the match through Football Association of Zambia (Faz).

The two teams are expected to feature a mixture of generational legends.

Flames former playmaker and coach Ernest Mtawali, who is based in South Africa, United Kingdom-based Esau Kanyenda, Joseph Kamwendo, Young Chimodzi Snr, Gilbert Chirwa, James Sangala, Robert Ng’ambi, Fischer Kondowe and Jimmy Zakazaka are expected to be part of the legends squad.

Zambia are also expected to bring legends that were part of the historic 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) winning squad

They include Christopher Katongo, Kalililo Kakonje, Felix Katongo, Clifford Mulenga and Hinjani Himoonde.

The two teams also met as Zambia beat Malawi 2-1 at David Kaunda Stadium, Chipata.

Meanwhile, FLA has bought a K500,000 worth table to grace FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ red carpet gala slated for this evening at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre.

Kalua said they wanted to be part of the exercise to prepare active players for life after retirement.

“This is an important event where we need to make our presence felt. Players should be able to realise that they need to achieve greatness to be recognised as legends,” Kalua said.