SRFL says still no word from Mutharika

The Southern Region Football League (SRFL) has said it is in dilemma as its sponsor Peter Mutharika is yet to commit himself whether he will bankroll the league this season.

SRFL chairperson Trouble Kalua yesterday said two weeks after the DPP president hinted that he would reconsider his decision to withdraw the league’s sponsorship, there has been no official communication from him.

Mutharika, through his aide Ben Phiri, told The Nation that a decision on the future of the sponsorship will be determined depending on the outcome of a meeting with the league which was supposed to take place early last week.

However, Kalua claimed that so far, efforts to get hold of either Mutharika or his aide have proved futile.

“We have tried to get in touch with the sponsor and his personal assistant through all the necessary channels without success.

“We have tried to phone and we have sent e-mails, but there has been no response.

“The situation puts us in an awkward [position] because we are not sure whether he will continue or not and, in the absence of that, it means our hands are tied as we cannot approach potential sponsors,” said Kalua.

He said of major concern is that the league does not have money for its smooth running.

However, Phiri said they would send someone to meet the league’s officials over the concerns they raised over political interference.

“We sent somebody to meet them, but I am yet to follow up as we have been busy with political meetings,” said Phiri.

Mutharika, through his personal assistant, announced sponsorship withdrawal for SRFL as well as all the three regional women football leagues, claiming that government was blocking his finances and that there was political interference.

However, Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu challenged Mutharika to substantiate his claims.

Mutharika sponsors SRFL to the tune of K5 million (about $1 250) and the women leagues at K6 million (about $15 000) each region.

He signed three-year contracts with the leagues and there is a year left before the expiry of the agreements.

Kalua said technically, it would be a breach of the agreement, but it is not the course they would want to pursue in appreciation for the support Mutharika rendered to the league.