NBS Bank plc last evening opened a new chapter in local football with a three-year K982 million package for the inaugural National Division Football League (NDFL) at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.
The bank’s chief executive officer Kwanele Ngwenya said they will bankroll the first season with K270 million and increase the sponsorship annually by 20 percent in the next two seasons.
NBS Bank plc, which turns 60 this year, has a three-year commitment to the NBS Bank
Charity Shield whose annual sponsorship was yesterday raised to K43 million after it was doubled to K40 million four months ago up to 2026.Ngwenya yesterday said the bank’s passion for football has prompted them to bankroll the two competitions concurrently.
He said: “NBS Bank has proudly sponsored the Charity Shield for the past three seasons. Today, we are taking a significant step forward by sponsoring the National Division League, which will bridge the gap between the Super League and the lower leagues.
“This initiative aims to provide a platform for more competition among football teams and nurture players for the elite league and the national team, the Flames. The NBS Bank National Division League will kick off in the 2025 season.
Ngwenya said the sponsorship commitment, running from 2025 to 2027, includes exclusive naming rights to the division league, prominent brand placement in all league-related materials, digital marketing opportunities and the organisation of community events.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya said he was overjoyed by the new partnership agreement.
He said: “We cannot wait to ignite the fire that was lacking to catapult the game of football to greater heights with a modern set up of football pyramid structures with this competition.”
Outlining the details of the new league, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said it will comprise 12 teams, three relegated from the TNM Super League and nine from the regional premier leagues who will finish from position two to four.
But from 2026, the 12 teams will have two teams relegated from the top-flight, two losers of NDL play-offs, four regional premier league winners and teams that will finish from five to eight in the 2025 season.
The league, which is second to the TNM Super League, has taken the country’s football pyramid to five tiers.. Regional premier leagues will be the third tier while the regional division one will be the fourth tier. District leagues will be the fifth tier
