Each one of them received K1 million each, K700, 000 in cash and K300, 000 in vouchers for shopping.
For the special 17, this was a memorable day.
Big-hearted philanthropist and business magnet, Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira has appealed to organisations and individuals in the country to honour, support and recognise the country’s glorious and golden era legendary footballers, who gave their all to bring the country proud and prestige.
Benevolent and passionate football sponsor and adminstrator, Mpinganjira, who is also president of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club made the appeal on Sunday in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, when he honoured 17 football legends with K1 million each for their dedication to delivering high quality football during their time which brought glory and great pride to the country in 1978, 1979 and 1988.
“As a country, we should make it a deliberate effort to honour our former players who did this country proud, Mpinganjira said.
He added: “I am appealing to all companies and individuals to support our legends, who brought smiles and joy through their exploits on the football pitch. Let us help by making their lives better.”
Through his company Ekhaya Farms Foods Limited Dr. Mpinganjira rewarded 17 former Malawi national team legends with K1 million each as a token of appreciation and recognition for their contribution to the country’s football.
In his remarks during a luncheon to honour the legends at Bingu International Convention Centre, Mpinganjira said the K1 million is in recognition of their achievements by, among others, winning the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988.
Each legend received K700, 000 cash and K300 000 Ekhaya Farms Foods shopping vouchers.
Mpinganjira, who is the founder and chairperson of Ekhaya Farms and foods said he has fond memories of how Malawi won the Cecafa Challenge Cup in 1978 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
“I remember it was a free-kick taken by Barnett Gondwe, and Kinnah Phiri rose to head home the winner and everybody in the stadium that day went crazy. So, I am very happy that today we have met,” said Mpinganjira.
“I have seen Spy Msiska here, where are you? I remember him vividly the way he used to head balls into the net. He was the best,” he remninced.
Mpinganjira preached on the need for unity among footballers from rival clubs saying they must strive to coexist and to prove his point, he invited to the podium his childhood friend, Mr. Kamaliza, who he said was a (Bata) Bullets die-hard while he was a staunch Mighty Wanderers fan, but they used to go to Kamuzu Stadium to watch Blantyre derbies together.
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire, who.was the guest of honour, thanked Dr. Mpinganjira for complementing government efforts to better the lives of former players.
He said: “This is the first-ever award ceremony to award players. I am honoured to preside over such an initiative. It takes the mind of a patriotic citizen like Mpinganjira to initiate such a programme. We really are grateful.
“I believe that you, sir, qualify to be in the sphere of legends because of what you have done towards the development of sports over the years.”
The minister said the country will never forget what the Flames achieved when they won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
“It was awesome and unique. It was a stepping stone towards Malawi’s dominance in football. However, the most unfortunate thing is that we are not progressing and the question that comes to mind is what went wrong?” he queried.
Football Legends Association founder and board chairperson Jim Kalua also thanked Mpinganjira, saying: “You have made us proud by recognising us and for this, we thank you so much.”
He said for the organisation to achieve its goals, it needs support from the corporate world and well-wishers.
“We have ambitious plans such as putting our members on medical scheme and carrying out charity programmes, but for all this to happen, we need finances,” said Kalua.
He said the association has made significant strides by appointing a board, coming up with a constitution, holding motivational talks with the youth, being involved in football development programmes and assisting former players in times of need.
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya thanked Mpinganjira for setting the pace to recognise excellence.
“These awards will act as an inspiration and motivation to the current crop of players and will work to break into the legendary status space,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the legends, former Flames midfielder Peterkins Beirut Kayira, a 1978, 1979 and 1984 glorious golden boy expressed gratitude to Dr. Mpinganjira for his gesture.
An emotionally charged Kayira said: “I would like to thank Dr. Mpinganjira, on behalf of the football legends gathered here today, for this great honour and recognition. We never saw this coming.”
” I am very emotional and I am both both happy and sad. I am happy because this is a great moment for us and it is sad because many of our colleagues are not here to celebrate this great honour with us. God should should bless Dr. Mpinganjira.
“Many of the football legends died miserable and they regretted having played for the Malawi national team as they were never appreciated,” Kayira lamented.
The legends that were recognised included Kinnah Phiri, Gilbert Chirwa, Peterkins Kayira, Spy Msiska, Thom Kazembe, Lawrence Waya, Chancy Gondwe, Yasin Osman, Mabvuto Lungu, Austin Nyondo and Young Chimodzi Snr.
“God should should bless Dr. Mpinganjira.”
Peterkins Kayira
Malawi Golden era Football Legend
