Fam names Quest replicas ambassador
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has named urban music artist Quest MW as the Moto brand Flames replica jerseys ambassador in a bid to boost merchandise sales.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said in an interview yesterday the association is confident that the urban music artist will help to market the replica jerseys.
He said: “I like his style, swag and vibe. He is by far talented having taken the music industry by storm. The Moto song which he composed resonates with the Flames and the Moto brand. That’s why he has been appointed as the Moto Ambassador to boost sales of the Flames jerseys.”
As part of the Moto brand promotion, FAM and Quest MW yesterday organised a live talent identification show via Instagram and Facebook where fans were asked to showcase their talent in football and music.
The artist, real name Penjani Malata, said he was glad to work with FAM to development football in the country.
He said: “As united as Malawians are, football unites us more, my fans are also Flames fans. Malawians love football and we live our national team, the Flames.
“Tiyeni tiyipase ‘Moto’ as we are raising the bar of Malawian football. Let’s wear Flames jerseys.”
FAM marketing and broadcasting manager Tulipo Mwenelupembe said more activities are lined up to promote the Flames’ Moto brand.
Giving an update on the replicas sales, he said there has been a rise in demand, especially for the premium quality jerseys.
Mwenelupembe said: “As you are aware, we have the standard quality jerseys going at K24 900 and premium quality jerseys going ta K29 900.
“It came as a surprise because we thought the slow sale in the jerseys was because of the price when actually it is the quality.”
FAM has in the past faced challenges in the Flames replica jerseys business, mainly due to low sales, mostly attributed to high prices.
The latest Moto jerseys were also affected by late delivery which made them miss the Africa Cup of Nation (Afcon) finals in Cameroon in January.
Fans also complained that the jerseys were written Malawi at the back making it difficult for them to personalise them.
Soccer analyst Patrick Zgambo said the deal with Quest MW can help push up the sales if properly handled.
He said: “Brand ambassadors that can stimulate the market could be one way if they resonate with existing and potential market.
“Does the trendy Quest MW relate and speak to that hard core football fan beyond his narrower home comfort zone of hip-hop?
“I think he does with the average younger hip hop and football fan, but having said that, FAM should look at casting the net wider and work on their sense of occasion. At this point, let us just acknowledge effort and we will sleep better.”
