Witton Albion kits donated to Malawi football academy

WITTON Albion have a long history of donating their kits to good causes internationally – and that has been no different this season.

Kit provider Fused Sport, who have supplied Albion’s playing gear for the past two seasons, have agreed to manufacture and donate a brand-new Witton kit including shirts, shorts and socks to a football academy in Malawi.

This has been done in conjunction with the Knutsford-based charity Kasupe, whose fundraising efforts have helped create the football academy in the East African country as well as schools at nursery, primary and secondary levels.

Albion manager Jon Macken was on hand to present the kit to Kasupe founder Davy Chilakalaka alongside kitman Paul Houghton and club director Julian Jackson.

Witton goalkeeper has also donated six pairs of goalkeeping clubs courtesy of The GKN – the goalkeeping equipment company he founded.

Six pairs of goalkeeping gloves had already been donated courtesy of Witton goalkeeper Ollie Martin (Image: Karl Brooks Photography)

“I simply cannot thank Witton Albion and the guys at Fused Sport and the GKN enough,” Mr Chilakalaka said.

“Such quality and specialist kit will make a huge difference to our young people.

“I’m a big Witton fan myself and now I can’t wait to see the lads back in Africa running out in the red and white stripes!

“This is the start of a very special relationship and an exciting journey for both organisations.”

In previous years, Witton kits no longer in use were donated to the Kit Aid charity but this season marks a new partnership with Kasupe, which was founded in 2007 by Davy and Sally Chilakalaka.

“Kasupe seeks to advance the education of children in Malawi, relieve poverty, provide shelter or accommodation where required and promote good health for the children of Malawi,” the charity’s description reads.

"Davy was born and raised in Malawi in a family that struggled to educate him beyond high school.

“He was extremely blessed to be financed by a church group for his college education, which led to a scholarship to study in England.

“Kasupe was formed to fulfil a lifelong passion to help others in Malawi to have similar opportunities to improve their lives.

“We believe that education is a key factor in relieving poverty and creating a sustainable, self-sufficient future."