Time out, no point
FDH Bank plc and Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) are set to discuss the future of the three-year K45 million FDH Bank National Netball Cup which expires this December without throwing off.
Public health guidelines that restricted public gathering to prevent further spread of Covid-19 were cited as reasons for inaction in 2020 and 2021.
The bank’s senior marketing manager Ronald Chimchere and NAM vice-president Chimwemwe Bakali confirmed this yesterday when asked on the future of the tournament.
during the launch of the sponsorship package in 2019
The bank allocated K45 million, K15 million annually, towards the competition after signing a K360 million three-year netball sponsorship deal with NAM in 2019, but the tournament is yet to roll out with the contract set to run out this December.
S aid Chimchere: “At present, we are in discussion with NAM on how best to roll out the competition and we will announce the details in due course. But what you should know is that we are committed to this sponsorship.”
On his part, Netball Association Bakali said they are ready to roll out the competition, but will wait for the outcome of their discussions with the bank.
“From our discussions, FDH Bank is keen to let the competition roll out once we finalise logistics. On our part, we are ready as the competition can be conducted within two months,” he said.
Bakali also said the two parties have agreed that the tournament should start at district level.
Sports marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya Sapao yesterday said there is hope for the tournament as both parties appear to be on the same page.
He said: “The tournament was not held in the first two years due to reasons beyond both the sponsor and NAM’s control since there was Covid-19 and the good thing is that the sponsor is committed.
“My prayer is that both the previous two years packages will be made available.”
Initially, the inaugural tournament was scheduled to throw off in 2020, but it was shelved due to the effects of Covid-19.
Ironically, the FDH Bank Football Cup, which was unveiled almost at the same time, is about to conclude its second edition this season.
Netball clubs have since appealed for the rolling out of the national tournament as early possible to bridge the gap created by the scarcity of netball competitions in the country.
