Sulom withholds Blantyre Utd subvention
Blantyre United have accused Super League of Malawi (Sulom) of unfairly withholding the club’s annual K1 million (about $2 500) subvention, making them the league’s only club yet to access the money this season.
But Sulom general secretary Williams Banda on Wednesday challenged that unless United pay their K530 000 (about $1 325) affiliation fees and outstanding balances from last season in excess of K400 000 (about $1 000), they should forget about the subvention.
Banda was reacting to United technical director Lawson Nakoma who last Sunday wondered why Sulom was allowing them to play in the league when they have not paid the affiliation fees.
“All the teams received the first chunk of their subventions and we are struggling to fulfil games. At first, they claimed that they did not have our bank account details which we resubmitted in May but still keep on playing games,” Nakoma claimed.
In reaction, Banda said it was out of courtesy that Sulom did not go to town exposing United as the only team yet to fulfil their obligation.
Instead of blaming Sulom, Banda insisted, United should have in the first place gone to the media “and reveal that we have not paid our affiliation fees.”
“It is true we have not paid, but their cheque is ready, waiting for them to fulfil their obligation. We are keeping it as collateral. Their first chunk is K600 000 (about $1 500),” Banda argued.
“We have the mandate to bar teams that have not paid and have their points forfeited. But we do not want to give other teams unfair advantage by winning games on silver platter.”
Nakoma on Wednesday claimed they paid K200 000 ($500) on Monday as part payment for the affiliation fees, but “Sulom is not forthcoming. It seems they view us as troublemakers and they want to embarrass us.”
“There are teams which owe Sulom millions yet have received the subventions. The only money we owe them is for this season. Last season, they refused to give us our cheque for being number three until we have settled the balances,” he challenged.
