FDH Bank plc last evening announced a landmark K5 billion topflight league FDH Bank Premiership sponsorship package for the next five years.
Suspense was the prevalent emotion among the stakeholders that gathered in Soche International Convention Centre at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre as FDH Bank plc managing director Noel Mkulichi walked to the podium to break the news.
| Bobby Kabango
The air in the room grew thick with excitement once he let the cat out of the bag, declaring that the home-grown bank would sponsor the Super League for the next five years at K1 billion per season.
Said Mkulichi: “I am proud to announce our new partnership with the Super League of Malawi [Sulom].
“FDH Bank plc will sponsor the Super League starting this season for the next five years with a total of K5 billion, which translates to K1 billion per season. The league will now be called FDH Bank Premiership.
“This is a statement of belief that great things do happen. We reaffirm our commitment to sports sponsorship in the country.”
The development marks the end of TNM plc’s 18-year sponsorship of the country’s elite football league since 2007.
FDH Bank has come on board, following the expiry of the contract between Sulom and TNM plc.
The FDH Bank takeover comes just two weeks after TNM expressed their intention to extend the K500 million sponsorship.
Mkulichi yesterday said apart from the K1 billion per season package, the bank has unveiled a K100 million player welfare fund that will allow footballers to access loans throughout the season to help them with various aspects of development.
“This attests to FDH Bank’s commitment to grow football beyond the pitch to allow players progress at personal level,” he said.
“Further to this, we will register all squad players [maximum of 30], participating in the FDH Premiership under the FDH Basic Life Plan for the 2026 season as a way of securing their welfare.”
Mkulichi said the life plan is a cover that supports people when they lose loved ones and this means if a player loses a loved one, under the cover, the bank will pay K300 000 to support funeral expenses.
“We are excited about this journey and we urge all partners to support FDH Bank Premiership’s success accordingly. Progress is only workable together,” he said.
Sulom president Gilbert Mittawa said the sponsorship has shaken the country.
“This is a great investment for FDH Bank. We will give them value for this landmark sponsorship. We are very excited with this historic sponsorship,” he said.
Mittawa warned clubs and fans against hooliganism, saying culprits will be harshly punished in a bid to safeguard the sponsorship.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Wiskes, who was the guest of honour, said she was excited with the development.
“This is an investment in national unity. It also supports the sports economy,” she said.
