In borrowed robes
Umbro will enjoy free mileage as the Flames continue using the England-based sportswear manufacturer’s kit despite the expiry of the agreement the two parties signed in 2014.
The three-year kit sponsorship contract expired last month and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) faces a race against time to identify a new kit sponsor for the national team.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday said in the meantime, the Flames will continue dressing in the borrowed robes as they await a new kit deal.
The development means Malawi will put on the Umbro jersey when they play Madagascar next week in Champions of Africa Nations (Chan) preliminary round two-legged qualifier.
FAM agreement with Umbro, unlike that signed by the association in the past with Puma, has no restrictions on its use after the contract expires.
The deal works both sides as the Flames, who have no jersey now, can still use the kit while Umbro enjoys free marketing and advertising mileage.
Nyamilandu said: “We will continue using the Umbro jersey and let them enjoy the benefit of a [marketing and advertising] free mileage.”
But the FAM boss said they were targeting to have the new kit ready by June when the Flames start the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification campaign.
“Designs for the new kit are at a very advanced stage and, hopefully, we can secure a deal with any prospective supplier soon,” said Nyamilandu.
“We expect to use the new kit for the Afcon. We have provided for procurement and logistical aspects.”
FAM commercial director Limbani Matola recently said the association has two options—to renegotiate with Umbro for another deal or consider engaging other suppliers, including local ones.
To sustain the current Umbro deal, FAM needs at least K165 million.
In the Umbro deal, FAM is required to order 5 500 replicas at around $27.5 (about K20 200) each factory price.
However, it has taken FAM three years to sell the same quantity at K15 000 each.
FAM has in the past engaged Puma and Adidas, but the deals were found wanting as FAM struggled to sell the replica jerseys thereby breaching contractual agreements.
