Sulom banks on FAM

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says it is banking on subvention from Football Association of Malawi (FAM) under the Fifa Forward 3 Programme to set up a fully-fledged secretariat.

The flagship football league governing body recently advertised for positions of chief executive officer, finance and administration manager and marketing manager in an apparent move to fulfil its president Fleetwood Haiya’s pre-election campaign promise.

Responding to a question on where the body will source funds to implement its ambitious venture, considering its financial struggles, Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said: “The subvention from Football Association of Malawi [FAM] under the Fifa Forward 3 [Programme] will be for the staff compensations.”

He, nevertheless, acknowledged the need to widen their resource base.

Said Banda: “Our resource base is very narrow and there is need to widen the football resource base.

“We need to expand our commercial activities, co-sponsors and TV rights.”

Sulom’s financial struggles saw them finishing the 2022 season with K4.2 million outstanding dues for referees.

The dues have since been settled by the league’s new leadership.

Football analyst and marketer George Kaudza Masina said the subvention from FAM will be enough to set up the secretariat.

He said: “FAM promised affiliates of subventions and Sulom is supposed to get K100 million of which K80 million was earmarked for subventions to clubs and K20 million as a starter-pack for a fully-fledged secretariat. This funding is enough to kick-start and more money is likely going to be realised along the way as it will be easy since they will now be thinking and acting commercial.

“As such, Sulom is justified in their thinking and hope as FAM is likely going to make good of their promises to the affiliates and Sulom in particular.”