Ministry intervenes in Ntopwa FC woes

Blantyre-based TNM Super League outfit Ntopwa FC owner Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman has sought government’s intervention on the uncertainty  surrounding the club’s future.

Earlier this month, Osman announced that the club’s franchise was up for sale because he could no longer afford to sponsor it.

But in an interview on Wednesday, the Bangwe Township-based outfit’s owner said he was invited by Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama to meet his ministry’s officials on his concerns.

He said: “There were no offers coming up for the club’s franchise. So, I sought the minister’s intervention and he arranged a meeting with officials from his ministry so that they could hear me out.

“They assured me that they will help, considering that through the sponsorship of Ntopwa FC, Ntopwa Super Queens women’s team and four other youth teams, I support the livelihood of many youths and besides that, I am also responsible for their education.”

Osman, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councillor for Bangwe Constituency Mthandizi Ward in Blantyre, said so far, he has not received any concrete offers from potential buyers, “probably because they are afraid to be associated with someone from an opposition political party”.

He thanked the minister for arranging the meeting.

Msungama confirmed arranging the meeting, but referred The Nation to the ministry’s director of sports Jameson Ndalama, who asked for more time to consult.

Earlier this month, both Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Super League of Malawi said they were yet to be approached by Osman on his intention to sell the club.

FAM licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale said: “He cannot sell the club without informing us and Sulom because there are some procedures that need to be followed.”

Last month Osman announced that he would not be able to continue bankrolling the club after losing his minibus touting ‘gold mine’.