Northern netball seeks K4.5m Nico sponsorship
The Northern Region Netball Association (NRNA) has submitted a proposal to Nico Life Insurance Company requesting resumption of the league sponsorship after it was suspended almost two years ago.
The suspension followed an outcry from teams that the prize they received were too little.
According to NRNA chairperson Chancy Munthali, the insurance firm pledged to resume the sponsorship after reviewing the financial package towards the league which has now been dormant for two seasons.
She said the proposal was submitted to the insurance firm a week ago and seeks an increase from K2 million (about $2 910) to K4.5 million (about $6 600).
“The proposal is a reminder to our sponsor that we are still waiting for the fulfilment of their promise,” said Munthali.
She said the budget, if approved, would help improve competition and participation of more teams.
“Some teams like those from Likoma Island stopped participating because they argued that the prize money was not worth it. But if the sponsorship is raised there will be stiff competition,” she Munthali.
The league’s winning team used to receive K250 000 while the runners-up were getting K100 000 and third-place team earned K70 000.
Nico assistant manager Nancy Bisika said she was not aware of the NRNA proposal, saying: “Maybe our chief executive officer is aware of that but unfortunately she is in a board meeting. Otherwise he is better placed to explain more on the netball sponsorship,” she said.
Recently Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia drummed up corporate support for the region where no company sponsors a tournament.
In the meantime, the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has said it is in discussions with unnamed institution to sponsor a tournament in the Northern Region. n
