Airtel Malawi non-committal on netball sponsorship

Airtel Malawi on Saturday left the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM ) in suspense over the future of the K360 million Airtel Money netball sponsorship.

The sponsorship caters for both the national netball team, the Queens, and the Airtel Money National Netball Trophy.

Representatives of the mobile phone network service provider were noncommittal on the future of the sponsorship whose third and final edition was launched in Salima.

“As of now we cannot say anything. Let us wait and see, we will have a review of THE whole sponsorship.  But for us to continue sponsoring such tournaments we need the support of the public to transact in Airtel Money,” said Airtel Money marketing manager TioneKafumbu who was in the company of Airtel Money country director Francis Matseketsa.

Government has since appealed to Airtel to extend the sponsorship.

“Since the introduction of the Airtel Money sponsorship netball standards have improved considerably.  We need this to continue.  My plea is for NAM to continue being professional and transparent in how they handle the finances,” said Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia, who was guest of honour at the function.

NAM has since assured the nation that they have always been accountable and that they are doing everything not to lose the sponsorship.

“Our accounts are in order and we have always been diligent in the way we operate.  I believe we have won the confidence of Airtel for the past three years,” said NAM general secretary Carol Bapu.

She said her association will continue to be professional so as to win the confidence of the corporate world.

Since the pulling out of Standard Bank Netball Trophy, NAM has struggled to find another sponsor for a national tournament until Airtel Money came in.

The Central Region Netball League (CRNL) has been running without sponsorship for the past four years.