SRFL worry over Mutharika’s sponsorship
The Southern Region Football League (SRFL) has spoken out its frustration over the uncertainty surrounding politician Peter Mutharika’s K5 million sponsorship for the current season which has now entered the second round.
But Mutharika’s personal assistant Ben Phiri on Thursday insisted that despite not giving the league the starter-pack as has been the case in the past two seasons, the agreement is still on.
SRFL chairperson Trouble Kalua said despite rescinding the decision on the future of the sponsorship, Mutharika has not made any official communication.
“When we raise these issues, they accuse us of rushing to the media, but the biggest problem is that he is not coming out clearly. He keeps on saying sponsorship ilipo and yet the money is not there. There is no commitment and the situation is frustrating because we do not know how to proceed as our hands are tied,” said Kalua.
He said they signed a three-year contract with Mutharika, which is supposed to be in the final year.
“Now, we have started the second round, but we have still not received money for the administration of the league. They do not even bother to respond to our mails or phone calls, now what else should we do?” Kalua asked.
He said they are now planning to seek FAM’s advice on the matter.
However, Phiri said: “I have a problem when this issue is discussed through the press. Even if there was a problem, it is not an issue that should be in the papers because the agreement is between them and us, not the media. The situation is not doing us a favour.”
On Kalua’s claims that he does not respond to their communication, Phiri said: “In as far as we are concerned, there is nothing wrong, to me everything is OK, we are on track.”
He insisted that the contract has particulars of the sponsors through which the league administrators can contact them.
“The commitment is still there and very much so. I have got no reason to lie. You can even ask [Severia] Chalira [National Women Football Committee president], we have been in touch regarding the women’s football sponsorship, why then is it a problem with SRFL?” said Phiri.
Chalira could not be reached for comment, but the last time she spoke to The Nation, she claimed to have been given the assurance regarding sponsorship
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said they can only take up the issue upon being approached by SRFL.
“We cannot just intervene. We can only do that if SRFL leadership approach us because this is a contractual issue,” said Nyirenda.
Experience has shown that sponsorship by politicians ends prematurely and cases in point are the Kamuzu Cup which was sponsored by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the Bakili Muluzi Under-20 Football Cup and Bakili Bullets sponsored by former president Bakili Muluzi and Bingu Tigresses netball team which was sponsored by the late Bingu wa Mutharika.
Renowned football commentator Charles Nyirenda said it is high time sports administrators realised that politicians’ sponsorship cannot be relied upon.
“Unless sports officials treat their games as industries, politicians will continue to take them for a ride. Politicians use sports, in particular football, to advance their agendas because it attracts masses. To them, it is like an investment to sell their political brand,” said Nyirenda.
“The sad part of it is that we have taken politicians’ sponsorship seriously instead of taking it with a pinch of salt. Sports administrators need to be in charge of their destiny,” he said.
