The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and NBS Bank have handed over K103.8 million to Plan International Malawi towards the implementation of the Green Girls Boarding initiative at Emvuyeni Community Day Secondary School in Mzimba District.
The funds were raised through the 2026 NBS Bank Charity Shield match between Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, which was played at Bingu National Stadium on 18 April.
The initiative is expected to benefit over 2,000 learners through the introduction of clean cooking solutions aimed at creating a sustainable and conducive learning environment. Speaking during the handover ceremony, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya said the initiative demonstrated the power of football to transform communities beyond the field of play.
“Football is beyond the pitch. Football is beyond 90 minutes. Today is another celebration where we have demonstrated that football goes beyond the pitch,” said Haiya.
NBS Bank Chief Wholesale Banking Officer Alfred Nhlema said the partnership with FAM reflects the bank’s commitment to using football as a platform for positive social change. “At NBS Bank, we believe that football is played beyond the pitch. That is why we decided to partner with FAM because what we see beyond the match is the impact on lives,” said Nhlema.
Plan International Malawi Country Director Mwape Mulumbi welcomed the support, saying the solar-powered facilities would help learners save time and concentrate more on their education.
“They will save a lot of time and dedicate more of it towards studying or resting, enabling them to be more effective and better absorb what they are learning,” said Mulumbi.
The K103.8 million raised this year represents a 68.8 percent increase from the K61.7 million generated through the Charity Shield in 2025.
The NBS Bank Charity Shield continues to provide a platform for FAM and its partners to use football to support community development initiatives across the country.
