Sulom halts BB Airtel funding
The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has stopped Big Bullets from getting a K5 million funding pledged by Airtel Malawi towards their CAF Champions League campaign, saying that would be in conflict of the sponsorship that the league has with TNM.
The determination was made by Sulom legal adviser Felix Tambulasi and treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda when they were assigned to interpret the clause which states that a Super League club cannot benefit from TNM’s competitor.
“We determined that Bullets’ argument that the clause is only restricted to local competitions does not hold because it is quite clear that any club in the league cannot engage any company that is in competition with the sponsor, in this case Airtel Malawi.
“So, when we sat down with TNM, we assured them that they [Bullets] cannot get sponsorship from any other mobile phone network service provider. To that effect, we have also communicated with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Bullets,” said Somba-Banda.
Reacting to the development, Bullets general secretary Harold Fote said yesterday that they have agreed with Sulom’s interpretation.
“I can confirm that we had that official commitment from Airtel, which was subject to the interpretation, but since that is the way Sulom has interpreted the clause, so be it.
“We have no problems with the determination. After all, we sat down with TNM and all the concerns we had were addressed. Nevertheless, while expressing our gratitude to TNM, we are also thankful to Airtel Malawi for their gesture,” said Fote.
But Fote said despite the K15 million upfront payment from TNM, Bullets still need much more to meet expenses of the return leg and in the event that they proceed to the first-round.
Airtel Malawi spokesperson Edith Tsilizani said she could not comment on the issue as she did not have details.
Bullets received a K15 million rescue package from TNM on Thursday through an upfront payment from a proposed SMS campaign, virtually sealing their budget for the trip to the Comoros next week where they will face Club Fomboni on February 15 in their preliminary first-leg tie.n
