FAM courts airtel

Malawi national football team can have multiple sponsors, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has clarified as Airtel Malawi today announces a multi-million Kwacha donation to the Flames following a partnership between the two sides.

The mobile service provider is scheduled to donate to the national team to help it prepare for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea in March next year.

The Flames have Carlsberg Malawi Breweries as main sponsors and FAM general secretary, Suzgo Nyirenda, said there was no conflict since there is room for other companies to sponsor or support the national team financially.

“The Flames sponsorship is in four categories; we have gold, platinum, silver and bronze,” Nyirenda said.

“When we approach companies for sponsorship, we notify them of these categories and they are free to pick their choice.”

Nyirenda said each category has its conditions and they can be running simultaneously.

“For example, Carlsberg Malawi’s category is gold and is between K150 million and K300 million,” the GS said.

“Though we list Platinum category, it’s the highest but with the country’s economy, I don’t think its practical.”

The GS, however, could not diverge more information on the partnership with Airtel Malawi.

“We have been discussing with Airtel on how they can support the national team and develop football in general,” Nyirenda said. “If you want to know more about it come for the function on Tuesday [today] where they [Airtel] will make the donation to the Flames.

Airtel Malawi public relations and corporate communications manager, Edith Tsilizani, while confirming the donation presentation, said she was in a meeting and promised to come back to us.

However, according to inside sources, Airtel is set to make a donation after FAM submitted a proposal for sponsorship. But since Airtel’s financial year ends in April, the mobile service providers have opted to assist the Flames preparations for the game against Guinea in March 2016 with the possibility of a full sponsorship contract in the 2016/2017 financial year.

Last year, Airtel also donated K10 million to the Flames after FAM announced the team risked pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to financial constraints. n