Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is yet to give out prizes amounting to over K20 million to winners of the inaugural FAM Football Awards over a month after the ceremony. The association hosted the awards on February 21, but 40 days later, some of the awardees told The Nation yesterday that they were still waiting for their prizes. Mighty Wanderers chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi, whose team bagged the Supporters of the Year accolade, said: “We expected the money to be credited into our accounts immediately after the ceremony, but up to now, we have not received any message of transaction.” Ascent Academy women’s football team coach Thom Mkolongo, who was named Women’s Football Coach of the Year after helping his side win 15 out of the 19 games in the 2024 season, said he is keeping his fingers crossed that he will get his prize. Another awardee, who asked for anonymity, said when he followed up on the prizes with FAM, he was tinformed that they would revert. “But it’s now over a month and there is nothing. It is worrying because they are keeping us in suspense,” he said. Each award had a K2 million tag except the Men’s Player of the Season and the Women’s Player of the Season awards, which were allocated K3 million each. FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda asked for a questionnaire yesterday, but had not responded by press time at 3pm. The awards, which were held at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre, combined players’ awards for FDH Bank Cup, Castel Challenge Cup and the inaugural FAM honours. FDH Bank Plc marketing and communication senior manager Ronald Chimchere said they already honoured their obligations. In FAM Awards, Wanderers midfielder Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliati emerged Men’s Player of the Year while Ascent Academy striker Leticia Chinyamula did it in the women’s section. Silver Strikers’ defender McDonald Lameck was the Young Player of the Year. Beach Soccer Player of the Year was Isaac Kajamu of Sunbird Nkopola beach soccer team after scoringeight goals at the Cosafa Beach Soccer Tournament and six at the Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer Cup. Men’s Football Coach of the Year was Peter Mponda, who steered Silver Strikers to their first TNM Super League title in 11 years. He is now the head coach for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The Youth Football Player of the Year was Prince Kumwembe of Lilongwe-based Villa FC while Mzuzu City Hammers Queens striker Eneles Fabiano was the best in the women’s category. Godfrey Nkhakananga was mnamed the Referee of the Year while Lameck Phiri was the Assistant Referee of the Year. FAM president Fleetwood Haiya also presented the President’s Award to former FAM general secretary and veteran football analyst Charles ‘Grandmaster’ Nyirenda for his dedication to football development for the past five decades.