Sulom asked to clean image
Business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira says there is need for Super League of Malawi (Sulom) to clean its image if it is to attract corporate sponsors.
He said this on Saturday during a Sulom fundraising dinner and dance at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe where he was the guest of honour.
Mpinganjira, who is Mighty Mukuru Wanderers president and board chairperson, said: “When you go to the public and ask for resources in this manner, be reminded on the need for good governance, financial management and accountability.
“Production of audited accounts is a must. So, make sure that you put your house in order.
“The current state of our football leaves a lot to be desired; from poor or dubious refereeing to perceived bias towards certain parties as well as acts of violence and hooliganism.
“If you don’t improve the game and repeat mistakes of the past, where games are not decided on the pitch, you are not going to attract sponsors.”
He appealed to the flagship football league runners to remove the perception that they are biased towards certain clubs.
Said Mpinganjira: “That is important, otherwise it is the quickest way to send sponsors fleeing and this is where your three Rs [revive, rebrand and reform] come in. That is where our agenda must start.
“The standard of our game is mediocre and corporate sponsors don’t like mediocrity. Others might think we are doing well, but our real test comes when we play teams from outside.”
He also appealed to Sulom to organise commercialisation workshops for clubs.
Mpinganjira donated K10 million towards the fundraising initiative.
Sulom president Colonel Gilbert Mittawa said they are serious about running football as a business enterprise.
He said: “In acknowledging the evolving nature of the game worldwide, Sulom leadership set out on a vision to revive, reform and rebrand to give the elite league a new face and additional value.
“For us to achieve this, we need money for both the operations of the clubs and Sulom secretariat and that is why we set out on this fundraising drive.
“I wish to make a solemn commitment that any support you will give us will go towards the intended purpose. We will be
transparent and accountable and, most importantly, we make an undertaking to give you value for your money.”
During the event, Sulom honoured Lameck Botha who scored the first Super League goal in 1986 when Mitco FC beat Admarc Tigers 1-0.
The league’s top scorer from 2000, Chiukepo Msowoya, who scored 129 goals and Gastin Simkonda, who was the second with 116 goals, were also honoured. The two recently announced their retirement from the game.
