Football is not just a game. While people gather on dusty village grounds to satisfy their passion for the sport, others are using the same matches as an opportunity to earn a living.
Women trade bottled water and snacks, motorcycle taxi operators ferry fans between villages and football is becoming a source of income in many rural communities.
Much of this transformation is being driven by community sports development projects that are bringing football closer to the people.
In Nkhotakota, businessman Ibrahim Suwedi also launched a multimillion-kwacha football cup in the district, in a bid to empower grassroots football, joining the league of local football tournaments since its inception in May this year.
In Rumphi East, the Potipher Jata Football League has created opportunities for young people and created a money cycle for the rural economy.
Launched in April this year, the league is part of a five-year sports development project sponsored by businessman Potipher Jata at a cost of K9 million annually.
Since its inception, the competition has attracted 51 teams and hundreds of supporters every weekend.
But beyond the goals and trophies lies a bigger story.
For Tionge Kanyenda, a businesswoman from Mlowe, match days have become business days.
“I make more than K30,000 in profit on a match day through water sales,” she says. “The money helps me support my family and become financially independent,” she added.
For motorcycle taxi operator John Zinde, football has become an unexpected business partner.
Every weekend, fans need transport to and from match venues, creating a steady stream of customers.
“The profits have helped me complete the construction of my house,” he said.
According to Jata, the positive response from communities has exceeded expectations.
“What started as a football initiative is now benefiting communities in many different ways,” he says.
Encouraged by the success, Jata plans to expand the project into other sporting disciplines, including volleyball and swimming, while also supporting afforestation efforts around Boli Woli Hills.
Football authorities say such initiatives are critical to the growth of the game.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Competitions Manager Clement Kafwafwa said the community leagues are complementing to one of the pillara of FAM in transforming the game of football in the country.
“The community leagues that are taking place rural areas in the country help to promote the vision of the FAM’s President Fleetwood Haiya of Transforming the game and one of the pillars is promoting football at the grassroot level,” he said.
Economists also see value beyond the football pitch.
Economist Felix Lomba said community football tournaments create what economists call a multiplier effect, as many small-scale business people find opportunities to sell their goods and services.
“Sports, especially football, play an important role in the socio-economic development of the country because healthy people are needed for national development. During match days, many small business operators trade and economically support their families,” he said.
In Malawi football structure pathways run from District League Championships to FAM Regional Division League Two and One, then up to the National Division League and ultimately the Super League.
Community-based initiatives strengthen it from the ground up by expanding the talent pool, giving raw players regular competitive exposure and preparing them for the demands of structured league football while stimulating local economies by creating business opportunities for vendors, transport operators and other small-scale entrepreneurs who benefit from match-day activities.
By Rudovicko Nyirenda
