Sulom yet to release sponsorship details

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) is yet to unveil details of the revised TNM plc-sponsorship for the country’s top-flight league.

During the prize presentation for last season, Sulom and TNM only announced the hike in the champions’ prize money from K15 million to K40 million and the actual sponsorship package from K90 million to K100 million.

Some clubs said in an interview yesterday that the delay is a cause for worry.

Mighty Wanderers board secretary Humphrey Mvula said it would be weird for teams to start the league without details on the sponsorship package.

He said: “Of course, the champions prize was unveiled but what about the other details?

“We are supposed to kick off on Saturday, but up to now we are in the dark on the other sponsorship details.

“That is one of the reasons we were pushing for an AGM [Annual General Meeting] before kick-off so that we should be on the same page.”

Nyasa Big Bullets chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said by this time, such crucial details should have been known.

He said: “Actually, I am getting regulations for the league just now after pushing for them.

“We are joking too much.  Things are not just in order.”

However, Sulom general secretary Williams Banda played down the issue, saying negotiations with the sponsor have since been finalised.

“It was done and details will be announced during the signing ceremony soon,” he said.

Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said many things aren’t in order.

He said: “On my part, I believe the problem isn’t Sulom as such, but the clubs themselves.

“They don’t like accountability, otherwise, they would demand that the Sulom executive branch move step by step with them, but that doesn’t happen.”

Nyirenda said in normal circumstances, issues like this one would be discussed at an AGM prior to the start of a league season.

On Wednesday, some clubs, notably Nyasa Big Bullets, Wanderers, Silver Strikers and Mighty Tigers held a joint press conference demanding that Sulom call for an AGM before the start of the season, threatening to push for a vote of no confidence if Sulom does not comply.

Reacting to the development, Sulom president Tiya Somba Banda said the issues which the clubs’ officials raised in particular relating to television rights, were already addressed.

“It is all because the officials that addressed the press conference were not in office at that time and that is why we always emphasise on the need for handovers,” he said.