National Sports

Fam waits for Airtel’s call

FAM says Airtel Malawi plc is yet to confirm sponsorship of the Airtel Top 8  for the delayed 2020 season.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka was responding to a question on the status of tournaments.

He said: “Except for Airtel, all the other sponsors are good to go. Negotiations with Airtel regarding contract extension were held, but they are yet to come up with a position.”

Zakazaka also said they are still working on a full calendar for the delayed 2020/21 season which kicks off on November 21 with the Ecobank-sponsored Chifundo Charity Shield.

Silver taking on Eagles in a previous Airtel Top 8 match

“There are one or two things that we need to finalise and hopefully it should be ready by the end of the week,” he said.

However, in a separate interview, Airtel cmarketing director Frank Magombo said they are looking forward to extending the deal “and we are currently aligning on the fixtures timelines”.

He said: “It is also our hope that the [Covid-19 pandemic will be under control by then.”

The initial three-year deal—which was sponsored to the tune of K198 million—expired last year.

And on the sidelines of the  prize presentation held in August last year, former FAM vice-president James Mwenda and Magombo were quoted as having said that discussions for a new deal had started.

Said Magombo then: “Currently, we are still in discussions on possible continuation of the Top 8 [tourney]. Once we are ready, we will communicate to the public, FAM and other stakeholders.. It has been a good journey for us and we have seen substantial impact on the progression of the game.

“That was the whole essence of us coming into football. We are happy and hope to continue to be part of this journey.”

Silver Strikers have won the tournament twice. They first won it during its inception in 2017 and last year while Blue Eagles won it in 2018.

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