The prospect of Malawi's Flames fulfilling their World Cup qualifier in Nigeria next month hangs in the balance as the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has a shortfall of $45, 454 (15 million Malawi Kwacha).
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The Flames trip to Calabar for the decisive Group F qualifier on September 7 2013 will cost them $121 212 (MK40 million).
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But FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed to the Malawi media that it had exhausted $106 060 (MK35 million) out of its $181 818 (K60 million) annual allocation for national team engagements. (MK330=$1).
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"But we are very hopeful that government will assist us as it always does," Nyirenda insisted. On seven points, Malawi trails group leaders Nigeria by two points.
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The shortfall further casts doubts on the Flames travelling to Botswana on September 3 for a final preparatory match before proceeding to Nigeria.
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The Sports Council's executive secretary George Jana insisted that FAM has to make do with the remaining $75 758 (K25 million). FAM spent the big chunk of its funding on participation in the 2013 Cosafa Castle Cup and playing a friendly game in Rwanda between July and August.
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"Government already made its position as regards the issue of extra funding and looking at the timing, I doubt if it can work," Jana is quoted as saying.
Funding difficulties in sport is something we are very used to in Nigeria. We experience it often but we still pull through!