Sponsor rejects request to hike Simama league package
Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) Premier League sponsor Simama Group of Companies has rejected calls to increase its sponsorship package.
The sponsor says it is hard to increase the sponsorship due to the tough economic climate.
The league’s sponsorship coordinator Pezani Simama said this on Sunday during the 2017 season launch at Karonga Community Centre ground
“Your plea for sponsorship increase is justifiable because the K4 million that we provide is on the lower side and we understand that.
“However, for now we cannot manage because the business environment has not been good,” he said.
In his remarks, Karonga North West legislator James Kamwambe—who topped up the sponsorship with K100 000—appealed to other well-wishers to come in to supplement the budget.
“Let me thank Simama Group of Companies for the support which is going a long way in developing football in the region. However, we are aware that the region is big and, therefore, the sponsorship package should be more than K4 million.”
Football Association of Malawi vice-president Orthaniel Hara, who was the guest of honour, also appealed for more financial support from well-wishers.
NRFA treasurer Chauka Mwasinga said the league’s budget is pegged at K7 million and hinted that it will be hard to operate with a K2.9 million deficit.
Last season, NRFA secured K500 000 additional funding for the league’s operations from Airtel Malawi.
The league is currently in the 13th week and Chilumba Barracks are on top with 32 points from 13 games followed by Karonga United with 29 points from 14 games while Rumphi Medicals are third with 24 points from 12 games.
In a launch match, Karonga beat Ipota Shooting Stars 4-1. n
