The Atlas Malawi

Category: Sports

  • NBM hikes Mo626 College Basketball sponsorship to K450 million

    NBM hikes Mo626 College Basketball sponsorship to K450 million

    National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has hiked the sponsorship package for Mo626 College Basketball season four to K450 million.

    The sponsorship will run for three years which means the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE) listed bank will be coughing K150 million per year for the tournament competed for by tertiary college students.

    This is an increase from last season’s K186 million total sponsorship for the same three year period.

    NBM and Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) renewed their partnership at NBM Leadership Centre in Blantyre on Wednesday where the Bank’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa committed that the sponsorship will also see them rehabilitating basketball courts in some colleges.

    “The Bank has faith that in supporting College Basketball, it will nurture an atmosphere in the Colleges where the positive values of discipline, determination, endurance, focus, fairness, concentration and most importantly teamwork will blossom and deeply manifest. This is what we advocate for so that we can have responsible youths who leave college to build our economy.

    “From what we have seen so far, the Mo626 College Basketball tournament has unearthed the hidden talent that we have in our university students and has been very competitive,” she said.

    Basmal vice president, Banthari Banda commended NBM for the sponsorship saying it plays a bigger role in nurturing talents in colleges.

    “This is a very big day for us. We thank NBM for this partnership and we promise to keep the partnership forever. Today Basketball has won and we promise to maintain discipline because we know it is one of the factors why NBM chose our sport,” he said.

    Victoria Mphangwe, a student at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) also hailed NBM saying the Mo626 Basketball tournament has helped Universities to unite.

    “Our Universities are now united and we have very good relationships that we created during the last edition. The tournament also helped to unearth talent, and also identified our strengths and weaknesses which improved our level of play even in other competitions,” she said.

    The first season of the competition was launched in 2017 at Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) and was graced by Vice President Saulos Chilima.

  • Legends live on

    Legends live on

    They are often neglected and rejected within society after hanging up their boots yet during their prime time many both the young and the old idolised them

    That’s how best to describe the life of Malawi’s football legends.

    From riches to rags.

    From household names to beggars.

    But for one Jim Kalua former Trustee of Nyasa Big Bullets he has embarked on a mission of redefining the life of a football legend in Malawi.

    Kalua views a football legend as tool that can be utilised for positive change within society and not just on the field hence setting up a Trust under his JK Productions brand which has since been registered under the Registrar of Companies.

    With him heading the Trust as Chairperson, Kalua has roped in former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Justin Saidi as Vice Chairperson while current Vice General Secretary for Blue Eagles FC Gomezgani Mchawi a lawyer by Profession is General Secretary as well as Legal Counsel of the Board.

    Former Nyasa Big Bullets Treasurer Antony Msendemaa is the Treasurer while Board Members are former Flames Players Lovemore Fazili, Gilbert Chirwa , Lawrence Waya, Young Chimodzi, Chancy Vinny Gondwe and Blue Eagles defender Sankhani Mkandawire.

    “We started this on December 31 2021 and when we were starting I never thought we would reach this far. It only started as a 4 team football tournament where the Legends formed a select side and competed against Makalani Stars, Sankhani Football Academy and Emanuel Zoya Academy”, recounts Kalua as to how JK Productions legends team was born.

    But since that 31 December 2021 tournament the Legends Brand has continued to grow from strength to strength. Apart from growing in numbers JK Productions now has a secretariat which administers a revolving fund where the former football stars access start -up capital for various small and medium scale businesses for their survival.

    Many are into Agri-Business where they procure various Farm Produce and sell later on.

    On the Pitch JK Productions has been all over the country participating in various football related activities.

    For instance JK [Productions has been to Malomo in Ntchisi where it curtain raised the final Match of that area’s MP Arnold Kadzanja’s trophy.

    The team has also been to Mtunthama in Kasungu where it played a select side which MP for the area which is also second deputy speaker Madalitso Kazombo had set up to entertain people of his area.

    At the climax of it all JK Productions also played against Members of Parliament at the magnificent Bingu National Stadium and the most recent outing was on Saturday December 17 when it participated in a curtain raising match during the final of Noel Lipipa’s Trophy at Moneymen ground in Blantyre.

    Outside the pitch JK Productions has also been involved in several charity activities donating items to the needy in the rural areas where the team has gone to play.

    “I attribute the success we have registered in our first year of existence to the legends themselves. When I hatched the idea they welcomed it. They embraced it as their own. This thing is not a Jim Kalua thing but it’s their thing and I’m happy that we have reached this far”, explains Kalua who is a Banker by Profession.

    So Far JK Productions has over 30 members comprising former footballers and administrators.

    So how do one become a member?

    The JK Productions Constituti0n defines a football legend as someone who was/is active in football for atleast 5 seasons at the highest level and contributed positively towards his club or national team.

    The Constitution also provides for incorporation of football administrators who managed a top flight side for atleast 5 years and above.

    These members are entitled to a monthly fee contribution of K3000 and if one fails to renew their membership within 3 consecutive months he or she automatically ceases to be a member.

    “This membership fee was set up to show commitment as well as sustainability of the group. You know where there is a group there are certain things that the group must be able to contributed together as a group so this K3000 is there just to help in running the errands of the group especially on the part of the secretariat”, said kalua.

    Looking into the Future?

    According to Kalua the focus is now growing the Association especially within its current set up and not necessarily targeting more members.

    “We want to utilise the current members by devising several initiatives that will see us grow as a group. The focus is not growing in numbers but rather growing together as a group”, said Kalua.

    And in line with the co0nstitution JK Productions will institute various Sub Committees to oversee various operations of the Association.

    “Remember this is an Association so we are going to institute various committees as provided for in Section 6.4 of our constitution. Then we will proceed to hold our first ever Annual General Meeting within the first Quarter of 2023 at a venue to be announced in due course”, said Kalua.

    Other notable faces within the JK Productions Legends team include former Flames Coaches Kinnah Phiri and Meke Mwase, Former Flames Stars Joseph Kamwendo, Fischer Kondowe, Lucky Malata, Harvey Mkacha, Bob Mpinganjira, Robert Ng’ambi, Andrew Chikhosi, Ulanda Kalua and several other former and current super league players.

  • Handball league in the offing

    Handball league in the offing

    Central Region Handball Association has expressed desire to establish regional league in order to improve the game.

    The Association Chairperson, Alex Simenti disclosed this Sunday when the Association hosted a two day handball tournament for both boys and girls at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Area 48, Lilongwe.

    He said the establishment of the league next year would help to attract more youth to venture in to the game which was being viewed new.

    Simenti added that their committee has visited all the districts in the region and they are ready to start establishing teams to compete in a league.

    “We are hopeful with the support from Chibuku Products, handball as a game will have the right support and patronize particularly the youth,” he observed.

    The Chairperson said they have organized the two day tournament in order to bring residents of Lilongwe and surrounding areas to appreciate the game of handball.

    Simenti applauded participating teams for their fine displays during the tournament saying this would be used as a yardstick in preparation for the handball Zone 6 competition to be staged next year.

    “The event attracted seven teams namely Kamuzu Barracks, State House, Mvama, Don Bosco, Wills, Kamuzu Institute and Cobbe Barracks from Zomba. Each team was paying a registration fee of K 50,000 and teams were coming in pairs as boys and girls,” he explained.

    He thanked Chibuku Products for pumping in K500, 000.00 for the tournament saying their financial assistance would go a long way to developing the game in the region.

    He urged the Media to help in providing coverage to the handball games so that they should generate interest among the residents.

    Operations Manager for Chibuku Products, Werlem Sitima pledged the company’s commitment to ensuring that the game of handball was developed in the region.

    He said his company has lots of interest to developing the game in the country saying there was need to generate more participation of the youth.

    “It is a new game, though we are not happy with our football standards although they are improving of late but still, we never know that Malawi will be better in some of these new games,” Sitima added.

    He said although the game might look new to most people but the game has been there for some time and other countries have been playing the game and Malawi should not be left behind. .

    The Manager said that, “Chibuku like to be associated with development of sorts of things and one of this is game of handball with our products like Shake-shake and Super.”

    Sitima affirmed their commitment to supporting the tournament next year in a bigger way.

  • Wanderers dent NBB’s treble hopes to win Airtel Top 8

    Wanderers dent NBB’s treble hopes to win Airtel Top 8

    Nyasa Big Bullets lost against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the Airtel Top 8 final on penalties after a penalty shootout decided a goalless affair in normal time.

    The People’s team were stronger in the opening half but the Nomads managed to work themselves into the game for the rest of the second half.

    The first half of the match produced only two shots on target one from each team. Babatunde Adepoju could have put Bullets ahead just after six minutes but his shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Wanderers goalie Richard Chipuwa.

    The Nomads again had their best opportunity after 15 minutes but we’ll charged Richard Chimbamba in goals for the People’s Team made a brilliant save to deny Francis Mkonda to head home.

    Likewise the first half, the game failed to create more scoring chances despite Wanderers taking over the control of the match.

    Substitute Hassan Kajoke came crosser to break the deadlock on 55 minutes but his header was cleared on the line by defender Peter Cholopi when the goalkeeper was already beaten.

    Five minutes later, Wanderers winger Isaac Kaliati sent a powerful shot from outside the box into the palms of Richard Chimbamba.

    From one hour mark the game became sloppy with more stoppages due to fouls and injuries but the Nomads came again inside three added time giving Bullets more pressure but it yielded nothing as the referee Godfrey Nkhakananga blew the final whistle to call for penalties.

    The Nomads scored through Peter Cholopi, Stanley Sanudi, Vincent Nyangulu, Miracle Gabeya and Francis Mkonda.

    As for Bullets they relayed on Yamikan Fodya, Hassan Kajoke and Babatunde Adepoju while Kesten Simbi sent his spot kick over the bar.

    The Nomads have won it for the first time since it’s establishment denying Bullets a treble of trophies having won FDH Bank Cup and TNM Super League.

  • Airtel Top 8 Final: The derby preview

    Airtel Top 8 Final: The derby preview

    Malawi soccer fraternity attention will be at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this Saturday where the 2022 Airtel Top 8 winner will be declared between defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets and their arch rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

    Nyasa Big Bullets have one Airtel Top 8 title so far as they look to defend it while Mighty Wanderers ain to win it for the first time since it’s establishment five seasons ago.

    On their way to Bingu National Stadium final, The People’s team dispatched Karonga United in the quarter finals, beating them 8-1 on aggregate before eliminating record two time winners Silver Strikers with a 3-1 semi final victory.

    The Nomads on the other hand punched their ticket with a 4-0 aggregate quarter final victory over MAFCO FC before dumping out former champions Blue Eagles as they beat them 2-0.

    Nyasa Big Bullets have their sights to claim the majestic quadruple. They have swept all trophies this far starting from NBS Charity Shield Cup, FDH Bank Cup, TNM Super League and now in Airtel Top 8 final.

    On the other hand the Nomads are eager to win and end five years trophy drought having.

    HEAD TO HEAD

    The People’s team have been dominant when facing Mighty Mukuru Wanderers over the decade which has seen them claiming four cup victories out of six meeting.

    In their last five meetings in all competitions, Bullets have won thrice, drawn once with Wanderers winning just a single game

    TEAM NEWS

    Nyasa Big Bullets have announced that their lethal striker Anthony Mfune will not be available due to groin problem. Winger Misheck Seleman and midfielder Yankho Singo will also miss the clash due to injuries.

    For Mighty Mukuru Wanderers they also have injury concerns as goalkeeper William Thole is a doubt after picking up a knock in their semi final win over Blue Eagles. The Nomads have received boost as defender Peter Cholopi is expected to return as he missed Semi final game due to suspension.

    PROBABLE LINEUPS

    NYASA BIG BULLETS:

    Chimbamba, Chirwa, Sambani, Simbi, Nyasulu, Willard, Idana, Petro, Mwaungulu, Adepoju, Nkhoma

    MIGHTY MUKURU WANDERERS Mapila, Sanudi, Gabeya, Kung’unde, Zulu, Kaliati, Manyozo, Kumwenda, Bottoman, Msowoya, Nyangulu.

  • Top five most improved Super League players for 2022 season

    Top five most improved Super League players for 2022 season

    The TNM Super League 2022 season has been marvelous with some players improving from their last season performances while others failed to replicate last seasons’ form.

    The Atlas Malawi now takes a review of players who were a marvel to watch in the 2022 season after coming from a troubled 2021 season where they were just reduced to benchwarmers at their respective clubs.

    5. HERBERT WAYEKHA

    The Kamuzu Barracks Centre back was released by Silver Strikers at the beginning of the season after failing to impress ex-bankers coach Daniel Kabwe but he has now emerged as KB’s most reliable defender in the just ended season forming a formidable defence line for the Chioko boys where he partnered either Sam Chibvunde or Hope Namadzunda.

    His clearances, blocks, leadership at the back and tackling has really improved from his past seasons at Silver.

    Since the Farmers Organization Man of the match award was introduced with 11 games to wind up the season, Wayekha claimed the award twice. He also featured in 28 league games for the Chioko boys missing just 2 games due to suspension.

    4. MIRACLE GABEYA

    He left Nyasa Big Bullets to join rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers after disagreements over signing on fee. The People’s Team allowed him to leave as he was deemed surplus to requirements for coach Kalisto Pasuwa but his arrival at Lali Lubani saw him taking over Peter Cholopi’s place who was most the reliable defender at Wanderers last season. As usual he is still good in terms of clearances, aerial prowess but the key difference this season is that he has eradicated the errors that once plagued his game.
    He also managed to get some crucial goals for the Lali Lubani side.

    3. PATRICK PHIRI

    Patrick Phiri is another player who looked like his time is over after his departure at Nyasa Big Bullets in 2021. He joined Blue Eagles where he failed to find a place in the first eleven. At the beginning of the 2022 season he made a bold decision to join Civo Service United where he revived his career. He performed admirably swapping roles as an attacking midfielder and striker sometimes.
    Phiri has scooped more Farmers Organization Man of the match awards (3) in 11 matches more than any player in the League.

    2. ENERST PETRO

    He was converted from a winger into a central attacking midfield to fill the void left by the then Bullets’ best midfielder Mike Mkwate. Petro has emerged this season as a complete midfielder with capabilities of marking, pressing and creating chances. His passing has improved and he dictates Bullets play. In few games he did not feature his absence was felt and the People’s team struggled alot at the midfield to contain possesion.

    1. BRIGHTON MUNTHALI

    Probably the most improved player of the 2022 season.

    After failing wrestle away the number 1 jersey at Silver Strikers,Brighton was on the move and he joined Blue Eagles where he quickly established himself as the number 1 for the Eliah Kananji side.

    The shot stopper has tramendously improved. He has matured and developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the League. His fabulous saves, leadership has helped his team finish second on the table. The team has managed to keep 20 cleensheets and conceded only 10 goals this season.

    Munthali has featured in 24 League games, conceding six and keeping 18 cleansheets in the process.

  • FAM announces positional award nominees for FDH Cup

    FAM announces positional award nominees for FDH Cup

    Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has announced the nominations for best players in each position for 2022 season.

    Unsurprisingly, Nyasa Big Bullets and their reserve side constitute a majority of the nominations.

    The People’s team defeated their junior team in the final to lift their first ever FDH Bank Cup trophy which is the key factor, as the two finalists contributes six players.

    Richard Chimbamba of Nyasa Big Bullets will be competing with Bullets Reserve’s Rahaman John and Extreme’s Blessings Juma.

    Chimbamba played 278 minutes and started three games out of four he featured. He managed to keep three cleansheets against Chitipa United in quarterfinals, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in semis and was introduced with eight minutes to go in a 4-4 thriller against Moyale Barracks where he was the hero when in shootouts after saving two penalties.

    The Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve goalkeeper Rahaman John played 450 minutes. He kept cleensheets against Super League sides Mighty Tigers and Red Lions.

    He was also outstanding when he conceded one goal against Extreme and Blue Eagles respectively to help his team reach final.

    Blessings Juma of Extreme FC is the third goalkeeper on the list. He was featured in three matches and played 270 minutes where he managed to record three cleensheets.

    His outstanding performances helped his team finish with most cleensheets alongside Nyasa Big Bullets and Kamuzu Barracks.

    On the best player of tournament, Chimwemwe Idana has been shortlisted with teammate Babatunde Adepoju and Reserve forward Chikumbutso Salima.

    Adepoju who has won golden boot after scoring five goals in five appearances played 343 minutes in this year’s edition of FDH Cup while another contender Chimwemwe Idana who got two man of match awards played five games and had a total of 450 minutes where he scored a single goal.

    Last one to contend for player of the tournament award is the Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve forward Chikumbutso Salima who played 450 minutes and scooped two man of match awards in five games.

    Salima scored three crucial goals against Red Lions, Mighty Wakawaka Tigers and Blue Eagles to send his team in the final.

    The final slot is the discovery of the season where Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve captain Yamikan Mologeni will be tasseling with team mate Chikumbutso Salima and Extreme’s Beston Jimu.

    Mologeni played 437 minutes in five games he featured. The young right back got one man of match when they elimanated Blue Eagles while Jimu of Extreme FC played 3 games and awarded two man of match awards. The striker scored in each and every match he featured and his exploited dragged his team to the semifinal where they were eleminated by Bullets Reserve.

  • NBB scooters up for grabs

    NBB scooters up for grabs

    Newly crowned TNM Super League Champions Nyasa Big Bullets have revealed plans to run a promotion where among other prizes supporters will walk away with Scooters which were donated to the club by HTD Limited.

    In 2019 HTD Limited donated 10 scooters to the People’s teams as part of their partnership.
    Upon receiving the donation, Bullets said the Scooters will be distributed to the team’s players but 3 years down the line the distribution is yet to happen.

    When quizzed if the team still harbours plans of distributing the scooters to it’s players,Club Chief Adminstration Officer Albert Chigoga said with the passage of time the team has thought of other options of letting the scooters go since the 10 scooters can not accommodate all the club’s registered players.

    “All the 10 scooters are safe in our custody. You will recall that these scooters were donated at the time none of us expected global Covid 19 pandemic. The situation affected our plans and management of the club decided to defer our plans indefinitely.

    “We are now lining up a number of promotional campaigns whose mechanics will be unveiled sometime mid January. The idea is to allow our supporters get active and involved with their club’s business in order to win these scooters as prizes” said Chigoga

  • Regional 5 board hopeful of clean sport as they sign MoU with Anti-dopping Agency

    Regional 5 board hopeful of clean sport as they sign MoU with Anti-dopping Agency

    The African Zone Region VI Anti-dopping Organization (RADO) is optimistic of achieving clean sporting environment for the athletes after signing memorandum of understanding with African Union Sports Council (AUSC).

    Speaking after the signing ceremony
    AUSC Regional Advisory Board chairperson Isaac Katopola said the newly signed MoU will help athletes to excel without use of performance enhancement substances.

    “This is a very important partnership that will help to fight unethical conduct of doping in sports” said Katopola

    According to Katopola, their body will not tolerate the use of substances and has warned to act on any athlete diagnosed with it.

    On his part RADO president Nicholas Munyonga promised to be on forefront in making sure that the MoU beers it’s fruits.

    “RADO will be on forefront in the implementation of the Anti-dopping programs in member countries but we need to work collaboratively for it to be successful. Our ambitions is to address doping in sport are one and the same. The solutions are found not by working alone but by joining forces and collaborating”

  • NBB outstanding players set to get Christmas gifts

    NBB outstanding players set to get Christmas gifts

    The People’s Team has announced that they will hold the end of season awards ceremony on 23rd December 2022 at COMESA Hall in Blantyre.

    According to the statement on Nyasa Big Bullets official page, the Red Carpet event is cerebrated under the theme “awarding excellent of our athletes”.

    It further narrates the top awards to be recognized at the event: “Top among the awards is the category of Player of the Season. This award will be given to the best performing player in the year according to the supporters’ choice. Other award categories up for grabs are Best Goalkeeper of the Season, Best Defender of the Season, Best Midfielder of the Season, Best Striker of the Season and Discovery of the Season”

    The League Champions also said as one way of recognizing clubs legends, they have identified three among them who will also be given certificates of recognition for their impeccable contributions to the club.

    Each category has three (3) nominees to be voted by fans by sending a keyword representing each category together with the name of their preferred choice to our 441 mobile platform.

    Advance tickets for the annual gala are being sold at Nyasa Big Bullets offices, Chigos Cuisine at Kameza, Jack Shoppers in Blantyre and Limbe Total Filling Station.

    We are selling corporate tables for ten (10) available in all categories such as Platinum at MK500,000, Gold at MK200,000 and Silver at MK100,000 per table. For individual entries, each ticket is being sold at MK50,000 (Platinum), MK20,000 (Gold) and MK10,000 (Silver).