"Women's Football Lacks Sponsorship"-Lament Teams
Veteran sports writer Frank Kandu believes women's football can grow given the progress made in the last five years.
MZUZU, Malawi- Women's football teams in Malawi have decried the lack of sponsorship as a major factor affecting the growth of the sport in the country, writes Victor Musongole.
Despite making steady progress in the last five years, women's football teams are still struggling to find corporate support from companies, thereby failing to make significant strides.
In the northern region, only Moyale Barracks Women's Football Team out of 8 teams playing in the FAM Women's League has steady support from the barracks, with the rest relying on well-wishers to fund team expenses.
The situation is similar in the central and southern regions, with less than three teams having steady sponsorship as most teams are supported by men's teams per FAM's directive to have every Super League team field a women's side.
Mphatso Chihami, coach for Mzuzu-based MK Academy which finished second in the regional league and qualified for the national phase, says many do not see potential in women thereby shunning assisting them.
"We rely on well-wishers but it's tough to fulfill fixtures and looking ahead to numerous travels in the national phase is a huge task considering our resources. People and companies should assist - women's football has potential," Chihami said.
Isaac Jomo Osman, Mtopwa FC Technical Director, concurs that more support is needed despite the progress made in recent years to reach greater heights.
Veteran sports writer Frank Kandu believes women's football can grow given the progress made in the last five years.
He attributes the sponsorship challenge to economic struggles.
"With players in Europe like Tabitha Chabinga at PSG, women's football is our next big thing," Kandu said.
Bobby Kabango of Nation Publications says women's football leadership should strategize and establish structures like men's football to thrive.
Lustica Gondwe, General Secretary for the National Women's Football Association, acknowledges administrative and sponsorship challenges but says women's football is on the right track.