……FLA, Player association included

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has approved a MK15.3 billion budget for the 2026 financial year following a successful Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually on Tuesday.

The approved budget represents a significant increase of about 40 percent from the projected MK11 billion revenues for 2025 and is anchored on strengthening Youth development and grassroots football, football competition and league development, capacity building and governance, infrastructure development and international competitiveness across all levels of the game.

“The 2026 Budget has been prepared in a difficult economic environment characterized by high inflation, fiscal constraints and foreign exchange challenges.

We have developed a realistic, disciplined and growth-oriented budget, guided by FAM Strategic Plan,FIFA Forward 3.0 framework, and our shared vision of transforming football into a competitive, professionally run and financially sustainable industry,” said FAM president Fleetwood Haiya.

According to the budget, total projected expenditure for 2026 stands at MK14.8 billion, leaving the association with an anticipated surplus of MK507 million by the end of the financial year. The surplus will be channeled towards capital projects and long-term football development initiatives.

The revenue projections are largely driven by FIFA funding, Malawi Government support, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, investment income, broadcasting rights and gate collections.

FIFA project funding remains a major pillar, with several infrastructure projects lined up, including the construction and rehabilitation of facilities at Mpira Stadium, Luwinga and MDC, as well as the development of a beach soccer stadium.

On the expenditure side, the budget prioritizes football activities, with MK8.9 billion allocated to operational football programmes. These include senior and junior national teams, youth development, grassroots football, capacity building, and FAM-funded competitions.

The association plans to participate in 16 international engagements in 2026, spanning senior, youth and beach soccer categories.

Among other are the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, Women’s AFCON which will be used as World Cup qualifiers as well as Under 20 and Under 17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Senior national teams have been allocated MK3.8 billion to support participation in competitions such as AFCON, WAFCON and COSAFA, while junior national teams will benefit from a significantly increased allocation of MK1.6 billion, underscoring FAM’s commitment to building a strong talent pipeline from grassroots to elite level.

Haiya said the budget prioritizes competitive success and international representation, and resources allocated are aimed at earning qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the Men’s Senior National Team,World Cup qualification for the Malawi Women’s National Team (Scorchers) and U20 Women’s National Team as well as competitive participation in COSAFA tournaments, with a clear performance target of reaching at least the semi-final stage across age groups and categories.

Youth development programmes aimed at enhancing a structured pathway from grassroots to elite and senior national teams have been allocated MK727 million. This will go towards supporting the Nthanda Under-14 and M’mera Mpoyamba Under-16 leagues, as well as elite youth development at Luwinga Inclusive Academy,

Capacity building and governance initiatives for coaches, referees, clubs, administrators. Member Association and match safety personnel will also continue, with MK527 million set aside for training courses, workshops and seminars.

The budget further provides for governance and administration, including congress meetings, club licensing, affiliate grants and operational costs, alongside increased investment in marketing, events and commercial activities aimed at growing football as a sustainable business.

FAM has also allocated K40 million subvention to its member Associations as well K10 million each for administration and operations to the Football Players Association and the Football Legends Association who attended the Congress gathering for the first time.

“Our vision commits to greater inclusion of players and key stakeholders within the association’s governance structures, and this is why FAM has for the first time ever invited the Football Legends Association and Football Players Association its General Assembly and will be part and parcel of our future gatherings alongside other our other Professional and technical partners namely National Youth Football Association, the National Football Coaches Association, and the National Referees Association

“The budget is strategic, ambitious and achievable. It aligns financial resources with clear football development objectives, while maintaining fiscal discipline and transparency,” said Haiya.

The Maravi Post