Masters Security yet to fund SRFA League
Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) is struggling to run Premier and First Division leagues as sponsors Masters Security Company are yet to provide them with funding two months after the competitions kicked off.
The security company was supposed to provide SRFA with the first chunk of the K10.5 million financial backing at the start of the season for the league’s operations before coming up with a second amount at the end of the first round and the final sum at the end of the season.
The firm’s failure to meet its sponsorship obligations has forced SRFA to operate through registration fees from clubs and revenue from hiring the Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS)-owned BAT Ground to social football clubs and other social events.
The development has also put the regional soccer governing body in a fix on how to pay referees.
But SRFA chairperson Raphael Humba said they are not panicking as they know Masters Security will fulfil their obligations.
“Of course, we are in a difficult situation, but we understand our sponsor. As much as we desperately need money for operations, we bear in mind that sometimes companies delay to meet their obligations not because they do not want to,” he said.
According to SRFA treasurer Gladson Kuyeri, it is a blessing that despite the delay to get the financial backing, “we are assured of sponsorship unlike in the past when we lacked such support. We know soon or later we will receive the money.”
During the launch of the 2017 sponsorship in March, Masters Security managing director Alfred Gangata, whose company also bankrolls TNM Super League outfit Masters Security FC, assured the nation that they will not have difficulties to finance both the lower league and the club.
Yesterday, he told The Nation that his company has not abandoned the league.
He said: “But no matter what happens, we are committed to ensuring that everything will be sorted out. We will not have any outstanding balance with SRFA and we will make them happy. Everything is in order,” he said.
At present, Chikwawa United are at the summit of the log-table in the SRFA premier division with 37 points from 16 games—a point ahead of second-placed Nchalo United who have a game in hand.
In Division One, Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves are on top with 41 points from 16 games. They are three points in front of second-positioned Hangover FC. The two sides will play three more games each to wrap up the first round.
