Super League of Malawi, MASM rolls out mandatory medical cover

Malawian football players playing in the top flight TNM Super League can now afford a smile following the announcement the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) has struck a with Medical Aids Society of Malawi (MASM) to ensure all players are on Medical scheme cover .

The medical cover is under the SULOM group scheme and it will cover up to a maximum of 30 individuals per team.

“We are pleased to notify you that the Super League of Malawi has signed a contract with Medical Aid Society of Malawi (MASM) for the medical cover insurance of all the players registered by your clubs this season” reads part of a statement addressed to all clubs signed by Sulom Treasurer Tiya Somba Banda on behalf of General Secretary Williams Banda.

The cover includes all football related injuries sustained on the pitch amongst other ailments.

“The cover will be per year/season and the premiums will be paid as such. Each team will be required to pay K54,000 (Fifty Four Thousand Kwacha) per month through SULOM” said Somba Banda in the statement.

Meanwhile, 30 MASM registration forms will be sent to all clubs and that they shall be deposited with SULOM before the 17th April, 2015.

All registered players will be required to go under a medical test at any nearest MASM clinic whereby the MASM clinician will certify and sign on the medical form.

The cover is mandatory to all the teams participating in the Super League, according to the statement.

This comes a few days after the death of Big Bullets defender Douglas Chirambo who succumbed to a brain tumor last Sunday. His death  triggered outrage over abuse of players.

Football administrators were accused and lambasted for neglecting players and dumping them like hoes.

Chirambo fell ill in December and according to media, the family struggled to raise K200,000 needed for brain scan. Ironically, during this, his club, Bullets could afford to make donations to floods victims.

It later transpired that K2 million was needed for the treatment, but the club and football administrators never showed commitment to assist him.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) club licensing manager Casper Jangale has hailed Sulom for the initiative, urging clubs to adhere to the scheme’s requirement.

“This is impressive and a way to go. Bravo Sulom,” said Jangale.—Additional reporting by Yankho Msukwa, Nyasa Times