Malawi Freedom Network 
By Our Reporter
Santos Football Club were on Sunday crowned champions of the K1 million Given Kitha Yamba Ward Trophy after edging Katutula Football Club 2-1 in an entertaining final played at Jomba-Jomba Ground in Chitipa District.
The victory capped off an impressive tournament campaign for Santos FC, who demonstrated resilience and attacking quality to overcome a determined Katutula side and lift the inaugural title.MWENYE KIDNAPPING SAGA: Mustak Chotia implicates Mr Dipak Jevant of Sealand Investments
Speaking after the final, Yamba Ward Councillor Given Kitha, who bankrolled the K1 million competition, said the tournament was established to promote grassroots football, identify emerging talent, and inspire young people to pursue football as a professional career.
“The main objective is to develop grassroots football in Yamba Ward, discover talented players, and encourage our youth to see football as a career that can transform their lives,” said Kitha.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting community sports, saying investing in football provides young people with a positive platform to showcase their abilities while keeping them away from social vices.Asian Man Allegedly Tortured to Death Over 5kg of Gold
Chitipa District Football Association Chairperson Lenard Sichalwe applauded Councillor Kitha for sponsoring the tournament, describing the initiative as a significant contribution to football development in the district.
Sichalwe said community-sponsored competitions play a crucial role in nurturing young talent by providing players with regular competitive matches and opportunities to attract the attention of bigger clubs.
“This tournament is a major boost for football development in Chitipa. We encourage more stakeholders to emulate this initiative because it creates opportunities for talented players to grow,” he said.
For their triumph, Santos FC received K500,000 in prize money and the championship trophy, while runners-up Katutula FC pocketed K350,000 after a spirited performance throughout the competition.Fear grips Malawi’s Asian community over attacks, kidnapping
The Given Kitha Yamba Ward Trophy is expected to become one of the key grassroots football competitions in Chitipa, with local football authorities hopeful it will continue producing talented players capable of progressing to elite football in Malawi.
