HTD donates 10 scooters to Bullets
HTD Limited has donated 10 scooter motorbikes worth over K9 million to Nyasa Big Bullets through their partnership with the club’s owners Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC).
Presenting the scooters in Blantyre yesterday, HTD deputy chief executive officer Anwar Sidik said they decided to donate the scooters to the TNM Super League club in appreciation for the partnership they have with NMC.
He said through the partnership between the local Iveco and KIA vehicles franchise distributors and NMC, which has been there for 10 years, they have been providing logistical support to NMC in terms of the vehicles.
“We have now decided to go into this new partnership where we have donated to Nyasa Big Bullets 10 scooters,” he said.
NMC managing director Konrad Buckle said the scooters will go a long way in easing the club’s transportation problems.
“Partnerships are like marriage. They start somewhere and grow up to bigger heights. We have had a 10-year relationship with HTD. They [HTD] have always supported our distribution network; their vehicles are phenomenal.
“They have now come up with another fantastic product [the scooters] and they have been kind enough to understand the woes that we go through as a football club and want to contribute something.
“This is what we want in football for the companies to use football clubs so that they can benefit and they, as companies, can use our supporters to market their products,” he said.
Buckle said he would also like supporters to benefit from the HTD donation.
“The administration will decide what to do whether to give the players some of the bikes. We may also have a competition where winners can get the scooter. We need to appreciate the supporters who, every week, pay at our matches,” he said.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu, who was guest of honour, thanked HTD for its commitment to develope football.
“Most clubs are struggling. Some of them rely on handouts from individuals. But if we can broaden their income base, then the clubs can become self sustainable. It is not only through money from gate takings or sponsors, but also though partnerships like these where the clubs can exploit the rights they got,’ he said.
Nyamilandu, who brokered the sponsorship between Bullets and NMC, applauded the club for setting the pace in commercialisation of Super League clubs in the country. “I am excited that what we started long time ago has grown from strength to strength. I feel very proud that we are able to show value of the sponsorship on the table as the club is successful,” he said.
