SRFA unveils sponsorship
In a scene plucked from a familiar precedence, the Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) high-powered delegation announced sponsorship minus the actual sponsor, Nsejjere Casual and Sports Wear, at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre yesterday.
While the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu and chief executive officer (CEO)Suzgo Nyirenda’s vehicles could be seen at the car park, they were conspicuously absent during the ceremony that had SRFA chairperson Raphael Humba justifying the pre-mature announcement.
“I know where you are shifting the goal posts to. I do not want to mention names [of who else announced sponsorship in that style], but you can phone Nsejjere representative [Jacob Chikoya] in Lilongwe. He will confirm the sponsorship.
It is just that he is busy, he could not make it,” Humba said when The Nation asked about the absence of Nsejjere.
Humba said Nsejjere’s officials from their base United States of America (USA) would avail themselves at the end of the month for the official launch and signing of the sponsorship agreement. The actual figure will also be disclosed that time.
Nsejjere has reportedly promised to give this season’s prize money for Division One and Premier Division champions in addition to 500 replica jerseys and a five-year sponsorship agreement with the country’s oldest league.
“We have kept this from December, but it was already in the news. If we were to wait longer, it could not have been of much value. The other reason is that we want teams to fight knowing there is prize money,” said Humba, before broker of the deal Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Tiya Somba Banda, in his speech, advised the league to safeguard the sponsorship.
Humba also announced that next week they would unveil another sponsor, adding “I thank Tiya Somba for brokering the sponsorship. I said my main aim was securing sponsorship within six months and now I have done it in two months.”
FAM competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka, who hailed Humba for securing the sponsorship months after being in office, told the gathering that Nyirenda was caught up in an emergency meeting; hence, was apologising for the absence.
SRFA vice-chairperson Trouble Kalua, who paved the way for Humba at the helm, was also notably absent in what was an otherwise full house for the association delegation that included treasurer Daud Mtanthiko, general secretary George Pagaja, vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye and other officials such as Tiziona Banda.
FAM financial and administration manager Christopher Mdolo also graced the occasion. When called, Chikoja said they were unable to make it yesterday because of other business engagements, but would be available during the actual launch soon. n
