Business mogul and philanthropist Dr Thomson Mpinganjira has lived up to his promise to award 17 Malawi National Football Team players from the 1978 to 1988 cup winning squads as well as veteran administrator and tactician Yasin Osman.
Dr Mpinganjira, who is Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Limited owner and President, awarded the 17 at a glamorous event at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Sunday.
He awarded each of the legends K700,000 cash and shopping vouchers valued at K300,000 to each of the legends.
The legends are Kinnah Phiri, Spy Msiska, Collins Thewe, Dennis Saidi, Thom Kazembe, Young Chimodzi, Lawrence Waya, Gilbert Chirwa, Peterkins Kayira, McDonald Singo, Austin Nyondo, Charles Phiri, Mphatso Namwali, Chance Gondwe, Mabvuto Lungu, Osman and retired Lieutenant General Clement Kafuwa.
Dr Mpinganjira said during the luncheon he hosted for them that the gesture was to pay tribute to the former players for having made Malawi proud.
“Let us honour our legends as they live. I would like to appeal to companies and individuals to support them as they brought smiles through their exploits on the football pitch. Let us make their lives better,” he said.
Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire commended him, saying it complements government efforts to make legends’ better.
“We are grateful because this is the first ever 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,” he said.
Flames legendary striker and coach Kinnah Phiri applauded the gesture, saying it underlines his passion for football.
“This rarely happens. While others wait to appreciate some of people’s contributions when they are dead, Dr Mpinganjira is setting a good example by leading the way and we are all thankful,” he said.
The legends, who operate under JK Productions, said they were grateful for the gesture.
JK Productions board chairperson and founder Jim Kalua said the legends are categorised in A, B, C and D groups but they picked the A and B group which comprised those that won the Confederation of East and Central Africa (CECAFA) 1978, 1979 and 1988 qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations 1984 and won bronze in the All Africa Games in 1987.
Other categories are, C squad who qualified for the 2010 Afcon and D who played for the national team from the 1990s for at least five years.
