CHAKWERA UNVEILS GOLF TOURNAMENT ANCHOR SPONSORS

By Stanley Nkhondoyachepa – Mana.

Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday unveiled the First Capital Bank (FCB) as this year’s Presidential Charity Golf Tournament anchor sponsor, at a function that took place at Kamuzu place in Lilongwe.

Speaking at the function, the president hailed the bank for the gesture, observing it was a step towards Malawi becoming a self-reliant nation.

“I am delighted to recognise the FCB as the main sponsor of this year`s Presidential Charity Golf Tournament which aims to raise money for supporting the victims of Cyclone Freddy and providing much needed assistance to needy students from our universities across our great nation.

“The unveiling of FCB as the diamond sponsor with a commitment of K100 million is an encouraging shot in the arm to become a self-reliant nation for even where we have vulnerable citizens, self-reliance demands that we ourselves should be the ones to help our own citizens and not rely on outsiders” he said,

The president assured FCB and all other sponsors that the funds realised from the tournament will be used exclusively for the specific purpose for which they have been raised

First Capital Bank (FCB) Chief Executive Officer, Agnes Jazza said the donation reflects the bank`s core values that define its dedication to making a meaningful impact in the communities it serves.

“As a good corporate citizen we feel duty bound to complement government efforts in the areas of education, health and sports which are our key focus areas for corporate social responsibility” she said.

Jazza said for the last decade, her bank has been dedicated to empowering the youth through scholarship programs and has so far supported over 500 students in their pursuit of knowledge.

She however said their mission extends beyond education such that recently it made a donation of K100 million and provided various assistance to survivors of Cyclone Freddy.

President of the Golf Union of Malawi, Gift Chidya Gondwe said the union is humbled that the FCB has made the donation to help needy students and Cyclone Freddy survivors.

“This gives us a sigh of relief and a lot of hope that other organisations will come forward with support” he said.

According to Gondwe, since the announcement of the coming of the initiative last year, the union which targets to raise K400 million this year has managed to collect K200 million, but expressed hope that the target will be met soon.

He however called on other corporate and international partners as well as well-meaning Malawians to come forward and support the cause, observing as a result of the Cyclone Freddy, Malawians were passing through difficult times.

According to Gondwe, the tournament  will take place on October 7 this year, and the state president is expected to grace the occasion.

Mana/sbn/scm