National Sports

Sulom, clubs mend fences

 TNM Super League clubs have reversed their decision to boycott the kick-off of the season after ironing out issues with Super League of Malawi (Sulom).

Sulom and the clubs’ representative held a press conference yesterday in Blantyre to announce that they had resolved outstanding issues on broadcasting rights and annual general meeting (AGM) which will be held on April 30 in Blantyre.

The clubs were claiming that Sulom owes them broadcasting rights revenue dating back to 2017, but during the press briefing it was revealed that some of the funds were remitted to clubs.

Sulom and the clubs, however, admitted that there was an information gap and have committed to provide a breakdown of broadcast rights revenue and how it was disbursed.

Water under the bridge: Nyirenda (R) and Banda share a light moment during the press briefing

The club’s representative Suzgo Nyirenda, who is also Nyasa Big Bullets chief executive, said they had withdrawn the threat to dissolve Sulom.

He said: “We had a fruitful meeting with Sulom and came up with an agreement on the grievances raised. Our expectations are that Sulom will recognise that clubs are important and need to be respected.

“We expect Sulom to be transparent and stop being arrogant. Sulom should stop

 responding to us in the media when we raise issues. Sulom should fully comply with the constitution and call for the AGM. We have agreed that Sulom should circulate notice for the AGM immediately.”

On television rights, Nyirenda said clubs will form a task force which will monitor the revenue from Mpira Television.

“We noted that there is an information gap. There is need to reconcile broadcasting rights revenue. Going forward, Sulom will now be disbursing the broadcast rights revenue to clubs quarterly.”

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda, who was accompanied by Sulom treasurer Malinda Chinyama, admitted that the league runners were at fault for failing to address the clubs’ grievances.

He said: “We must accept that some how we failed to address the clubs’ concerns in time which led to the misunderstandings. We must apologise for that. From now onward, we will be transparent and open to discussions with clubs when they feel things are not going as expected.”

The clubs have since committed to fulfil week one fixtures for the league which kicks off today as Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers clash at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre

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