FMB plans to sponsor national hockey league

Plans are underway to make the newly established FMB Southern Region Hockey League (SRHL) a national event, the financial institution’s head of marketing Sylvia Mataka has revealed.

Speaking at the inaugural contest at Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) on Sunday, Mataka said they made the decision three weeks ago, but they first wanted to see how the initial regional event will be conducted.

“We want to grow this competition into a national league. Hockey is a big sport worldwide and it needs to be fully supported here in Malawi. We thought of sponsoring the contest in the Southern Region first in order to see how the hockey officials and players handle themselves.

“But soon we will sit down with Hockey Association of Malawi (HAM) officials for directions. We want to see hockey players enjoying the sport in the Central and the Northern regions as well. If all goes well, this initiative will begin next year,” Mataka said.

She added that it is FMB’s dream to see minority sports such as hockey and cricket improving to international standards and having good number of indigenous Malawians taking part.

During the launch of the regional hockey league, FMB unveiled trophies for the Six-A-Side and the Eleven-A-Side events, which were bought using an extra K400 000 sponsorship. This means the total financial backing has increased to K1.6million.

FMB’s senior director Nathu Anadkat also graced the ceremony.

According to HAM vice-general secretary Wanthaza Mughogho, who was accompanied by the association’s president Tochi Gill, general secretary Khrishna Achuthan and Sports Council executive secretary George Jana, the Six-A-Side League will run for a month before rolling out the two-month Eleven-A  side contest.

“The Six-A-Side League is a build-up event for the Eleven-A-Side competition which will begin in October. The games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays at the BSC,” he said.