Airtel gives hope on Top 8 tourney
Airtel Malawi plc managing director Charles Kamoto has hinted that the integrated mobile network and information and communications technology provider will renew Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 tournament sponsorship.
He made the statement last evening at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre during the award presentation for the sixth edition of the Airtel Top 8, which is the last on the three-year sponsorship contract with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) signed in 2021.
Kamoto said discussions are underway on the possibility of continuing with the cup sponsorship and there is a big chance that the competition will be maintained.
He said: “What is important is that we are motivated by the overall thrills of the competition and we are hopeful to be back with the new package.
“The fact that we are in a period of happiness after the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority renewed our business licence for the next 10 years is also enough reason to give the Malawi football lovers hope.”
There were fears over the future of the sponsorship following the abandonment of the quarter-final match involving Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers September last year.
But FAM president Fleetwood Haiya pleaded with Airtel Malawi to renew the sponsorship edition.
He said: “The mistake that arose due to match officiation [during the quarter-final between Silver and Wanderers] was very costly. However, we thank Airtel for their patience and understanding by allowing us to conclude the season and we have no doubt they will come back.”
Haiya has since assured the nation that they will review football rules and regulation and come up with a security and safety committee that will ensure violence and hooliganism do not resurface in Malawi football.
“We will not tolerate unprofessional officiation among the referees and we will harshly deal with the perpetrators of violence. We dont want to lose sponsorship due to carelessness,” he said.
Malawi National Council of Sports board member Hellen Mpinganjira-Tasosa applauded Airtel Malawi plc for bankrolling the Top 8 tourney for the sixth season, saying they believe nothing will stop the company from coming again to football.
The ceremony saw champions FCB Nyasa Bullets’ striker Lanjesi Nkhoma winning both the golden boot and the player of the season awards. He was the top-scorer with three goals.
In media awards, Nation Publications Limited (NPL) sports editor Garry Chirwa won the Print Media Journalist of the year award for the third consecutive season.
This was his fourth time to bag the accolade in the six editions.
Another NPL journalist Bobby Kabango won the Best Photojournalist accolade while Mibawa TV journalist Hankey Chimtengo was the Best Television Journalist. MIJ FM journalist Foster Mkwamba has done it in the radio category while Andrew Cane Chilapondwa of Malawi 24 was the best online journalist.
