SRFL irks Mutharika over sponsorship
Professor Peter Mutharika, through his aide Ben Phiri, on Tuesday hit back at the Southern Region Football League (SRFL) over accusations that he is not coming out clearly on the league sponsorship.
Phiri was reacting to claims by SRFL chairperson Trouble Kalua that despite assurances in the media, the sponsor has not made any formal commitment.
Phiri described Kalua’s remarks as unfair and immature, bent on blackmailing the sponsor.
“I just cannot believe it. What does he [Kalua] mean by saying we are avoiding his calls and we are not responding to his e-mails?
“It is a childish [claim] in a way because just yesterday [Monday], I spoke to the chairperson of National Women Football [Severia] Chalira and assured her that we are committed and they can go ahead with registration and the same applies to SRFL,” said Phiri.
He attributed the delay, to get in touch with the leagues, to a crammed diary.
“Actually, I am in Blantyre to sort out the sponsorship issue. We cannot pull out at this stage because for us, as sponsors, this is a crucial year. We would rather see out the contract as it is one way of promoting our brand.
“Or are they trying to blow the issue out of proportion just because the professor is a politician? What they should know is that we do not have a problem with either Trouble [Kalua] or the league, but it is the manner that they are handling the issue that is of major concern,” said Phiri.
Asked if the reasons that made them to announce sponsorship withdrawal before rescinding the decision had been addressed, Phiri said: “That is one of the issues that we want to discuss with the leagues. To us, what is important is to fulfil the commitment for the good of the game.”
However, Kalua said he was just putting things into perspective.
“It is not that we have issues against the sponsor. Our worry is that time is running out and as things are, we are in a dilemma because up to now, they have not contacted us. All what we have seen are comments in the press,” he said.
Kalua also said their other concern is that up to now they have not yet received the promised administration fees, which is affecting their operations.
Chalira confirmed having been contacted by Phiri.
“I indeed spoke to him and he made a commitment that the sponsorship is still on and that we should go ahead with the registration,” said Chalira.
Mutharika signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with SRFL to the tune of K15 million (K5 million per season), which is expected to end next year. He also sponsors the three regional women football leagues at K6 million (K2 million per season).
Mutharika recently announced the withdrawal of the sponsorship, attributing it to political interference and government’s move to block his finances. Government challenged him to explain how his finances were being blocked.
