FAM, Fisd clash over broadcasting rights
Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (Fisd) and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on Saturday clashed over broadcasting rights of the Fisd Challenge Cup.
It all started when FAM stopped Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) from airing live commentary of the match between Nyasa Big Bullets and PremierBet Wizards at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Fisd brands manager Maxwell Phiri expressed his disappointment with FAM, saying as a partner and sponsor of the tournament, they expected a waiver on the K300 000 broadcasting rights.
“This is an issue that we had been discussing with them that as a sponsor, they should consider a waiver for the broadcasting rights. We had hired ZBS to broadcast Saturday’s match, but surprisingly the [ZBS] team was chased out by FAM who were demanding that we pay the broadcasting rights fee.
“After some discussions, they allowed us to have the match live on air, but on condition that I write an email committing to make the payment after the match.
“We find this arrangement strange, because as a sponsor who is pumping in lots of money, we need to benefit through the live broadcasts as one way of advertising our services,” said Phiri.
However, FAM commecial director Limbani Matola said he was not aware of the issue.
“They called you as who?… so that you can provide solutions? Do they [Fisd] own a radio station? I am sorry I am not aware of that,” he said.
In yesterday’s game, Fisd hired Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to broadcast the match between Be Forward Wanderers and Karonga United. n
