Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers have said the K15 million (about $35 800) sponsorship which they each got from Carlsberg Malawi is just a fraction of their respective budgets and they are exploring other ways to supplement their budgets.
Bullets chairperson Malinda Chinyama also claimed that the sponsorship from Carlsberg is not exclusive; therefore, it gives them leeway to court other partners.
“Our budget for this season is in the excess of K60 million (about $143 000) and therefore the K15 million sponsorship from Carlsberg Malawi is a quarter of our requirement.
“We have therefore lined up a number of fund-raising activities that will include a vigorous SMS promotion that we plan to roll out next week,” said Chinyama.
He said the SMS promotion that will run under the Super League sponsor TNM’s code, will include predictions for league games, suggestions from the fans on various issues such as probable line-up, player of the month and how we can strengthen the team.
“Those that will be able to send 15 messages will stand a chance of winning prizes that will include automatic membership, free meal at our clubhouse, free entry at a selected match involving BB and interaction with a player of their choice,” said Chinyama.
He also said the club plans to intensify the membership drive across the country and sale of merchandise such as jerseys, T-shirts, caps, stickers, posters, pens, ashtrays and plates,” said Chinyama.
He added: “We are also exploring on courting other partners whose business is not in conflict with either Carlsberg Malawi or indeed the league’s sponsor [TNM].”
On his part, Nomads outspoken general secretary David Kanyenda said: “It is an open secret that the K15 million which we get from Carlsberg is not sufficient to meet our budget which is in the excess of K50 million (about $120 000).
“Without interfering with the marketing committee’s task, what I can say is that we will step up our marketing drive this season by, among other things, intensifying the membership drive in all the three regions through our marketing team.
