Sulom president pledges to double subventions
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Fleetwood Haiya says the flagship league will double the club’s subvention to K20 million next season.
He said this after the decisive title match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday which raised down the curtain on the 2023 season.
Said Haiya: “A number of teams in the Super League have no sponsors. This season, we gave them at least K10 million and considering the current economic enviroment, I would like to assure them that next season, they will get a minimum of K20 million each.”
On the achievements, he said they were able to conclude the league in time.
Said Haiya: “When we said that the league would conclude by December 3, there were doubts from some sections, but here we are. All the teams have finished their games on the same day.
“We were also able to implement our plan of having a game per week although we had challenges at some point due to other factors, especially venues.
He said another plus was that the title was decided on the final day unlike in the past “when a champion could be identified with three or four games to play. This shows that we have made strides in our drive to revive, reform and rebrand the league.”
Clubs have since hailed Sulom for its pledge to increase subvention.
Said Silver Strikers spokesperson Willard Chakanika: “We are very excited about it because it has been an issue for some time.
“We only hope and believe that the promise will be implemented.”
Chitipa United general secretary Duma Ngoma said: “Leadership that solves problems is what we cherish most. It doesn’t get better than this, especially to us teams that are supported by communities.
“K20 millions is a better starterpack that will balance our start of the 2024 season. As Chitipa United, we believe more good things are coming in football since the leadership is listening.
“Change that we needed is proving to be real. A new dawn to the game. We expect more new policies that will benefit the teams, associations and the corporate world.”
On the other hand, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga described the pledge as a timely boost.
He said: “Increased subvention has always been our wish, more so in the wake of the 44 percent devaluation of the kwacha.”n
