NICO GENERAL PUMPS ONE MILLION KWACHA INTO SQUASH

NICO General has revitalized its commitment to assisting government in uplifting sports standards in the country by pumping in a sum of MK1, 250, 000 to Squash Association of Malawi for an international tournament called Squash Classic to be held in Lilongwe.

Speaking during cheque presentation ceremony held at NICO premises General Manager Eric Chapola said they decided to continue with their support to the game of squash in order to consolidate the talent development  process in the sport. He said they decided to increase the money from MK700, 000 in the previous years to MK1,250, 000 this time around to motivate the players.

“To us as NICO General Insurance Company Limited, the Squash tournament is very important, its where we interact with our partners, clients and customers. We value this competition because it attracts foreign players,” said Chapola.

The three day tournament which is slated for November 9-11, 2007 will be held in the capital city as has been the case in the past and NICO says the idea is to afford a section of its customers an opportunity.

“20% of our business is in Lilongwe, that’s why we prefer holding the tourney in the capital city so as to let our customers feel we are one family through that interaction,” he said.

Speaking at the same function, President of Squash Association of Malawi Thom Kabvina said he was overwhelmed with the Company's return and more so for the increase in the money meant for prizes during the tourney. “We are short of words for the gesture NICO General has shown our association by opening the sponsorship in a big way, increasing the amount,” he said. “The prizes have gone up, the winner will go home with USD1,000 an equivalent of MK140, 000, it is a pride figure of a prize for the winner,” he said.

General Secretary Chikumutso Mkutumula said the NICO General Classic is divided into categories of A and B, Ladies, Junior Boys and Junior Girls. “So far players from four countries including Zambia, and Zimbabwe have confirmed their participation,” he said. In the breakdown, A divisions will get M K140,000 for winner, runner up M K100,000, MK70,000, MK50,000 for the third and fourth places while the fifth and sixth will not get any prizes. In the B division, the winner will receive MK35,000, second placed will get MK25,000, MK18,000 for third and fourth places. Ladies will walk away with MK50,000, MK30,000, MK20,000 and MK15,000 for the winner, second placed and third placed.

In the Juniors Boys and Juniors Girls first prizes are MK5,000, second MK3,000 respectively. The function attracted members of the public and other NICO Senior managers including Finance Manager Charles Chirwa, and Chifundo Chiundira as well as  members of the media,

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