Grand and Grill Donates MK0.5 Million to SRFL

Grand & Grill bar owner Patrick Mbalati yesterday donated a whooping sum of K500, 000.00 to Southern Region Football League (SRFL).

Presenting the donation yesterday, Mbalati said he made the donation to rescue the association following the abandonment of their sponsor.

He made these remarks during the prize presentation ceremony held in Chiwembe, Blantyre where teams and individuals were receiving their awards on Friday, march 4^th.

“I am a football fan. So after hearing from the radio that the league is failing to honour the teams who have done better due to lack of funds, I thought it wise to do something to help. I was shocked to hear that Nsenjere did not fulfil their agreement. I hope this donation will help ease some of the problems in the league,” said Mbalati.

In his remarks, SRFL chairman Raphael Humba hailed  Mbalati for the kind gesture saying the money will go straight to referees’ committee to settle their dues.

“You see, when one door was closed the other door has opened. Today.  I am a very happy man to receive this money from Mbalati. As a committee, we are very grateful and we don’t take this for granted. This money will help to settle the balances that we had with our referees. They did a wonderful job last year so they also need to be rewarded,” said Humba.

Meanwhile, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu Manda urged all stakeholders to follow Mr Mbalati’s kind gesture.

“If an individual can manage to donate such huge sum of money what about other companies. We need people like  Mbalati if we want our football to improve. This should be a wakeup call to companies and other well wishers to come and help our teams.

“We have teams like Azam Tigers and Max Bullets, that don’t have sponsorship. So it’s my plea to all stakeholders to come and assist us. All in all I should thank Mbalati for the donation may the Almighty Lord bless you abundantly,” said Nyamilandu.

The donation comes barely few days after the Southern Region Football Association announced that they have secured a new sponsor for the 2016 season which will be unveiled next week on 10th March.