Raiply hikes volleyball sponsorship
Raiply Malawi Limited on Monday increased the sponsorship package for this year’s National Volleyball Championship from K3 million ($5,225.59) to K3.5 million ($6,096.52).
Volleyball Association of Malawi (VAM) general secretary Jairosi Nkhoma said during a media briefing at Mzuzu Sports Office that the increment had come because ladies teams have been incorporated in the tournament.
Six ladies teams from all the regions will compete for the K100 000 ($174.18) top prize.
The teams are: Blue Eagles and Snipers from the Central Region, Blantyre Select representing Southern Region, Moyale Barracks, Mzuzu Academy and Katoto Trickers from the Northern Region.
Raiply chief executive officer Thomas Oommen said the company’s mandate was to share the profits it was realising.
“It is clear that volleyball is not a popular sport in Malawi and we are here to support it and so far we have extended our hand to ladies.
“We will keep on assisting the sport to the point where international volleyball players are noticed,’’ said Oommen.
In her remarks, regional sports officer for the North, Georgina Msowoya, thanked Raiply for the timely contribution.
“We have a number of companies who are making a lot of profits but they are failing to sponsor us,” she said.
The tournament is set to kick off tomorrow and will conclude on Sunday at Katoto Secondary School sports complex in Mzuzu.
Meanwhile, 10 teams in the men’s category have qualified for the tournament.
The teams are: Thunders, Cobbe Barracks and Poly Troupers from the Southern Region. Kamuzu Barracks, Blue Eagles and Lilongwe Spikers from the Central Region while Moyale Barracks, Katoto Trickers, Mzuzu University and Police Eagles Crews will represent the Northern Region.
The champions in men’s competition will receive K1 million ($1,741.86) while the runners-up will get K300 000 ($522.55).
Kamuzu Barracks are the defending champions.
This year, the champions will automatically qualify for Zone-VI games scheduled to take place in Swaziland later this year.
