With the new season set to kick-off on May 27, Carlsberg Malawi are yet to come out in the open on which club they will sponsor between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary Williams Banda on Friday announced that the season is slated to kick off on May 27 and details pertaining to the launch will be announced in due course.
“We are, therefore, urging clubs to speed up their registration process and communicate to us about their venues,” said Banda.
But with the kick-off of the flagship league season around the corner, Bullets and Nomads are still in the dark on the future of Carlsberg Malawi sponsorship as they are yet to come out with their position.
However, when contacted for comment on the issue for the second time on Thursday morning, Carlsberg Malawi’s senior brands manager Twikale Chirwa said there was some progress on the matter.
“There is a good development pertaining to the issue, send us an email and we will respond accordingly,” said Chirwa who could not be drawn to comment on the delay of the process.
However, at press time on Friday, Chirwa had not yet responded to our questionnaire.
Meanwhile, soccer commentator George Kaudza-Masina has said the situation will affect the two teams in terms of planning.
“Of course, there could be other factors that have necessitated the delay, but what they have to bear in mind is that both teams need to plan ahead of the new season.
“For a team that will not be chosen, it means they have to start planning on the way forward and, obviously, they will face a race against time,” said Kaudza-Masina.
Recently, both teams also expressed concern over Carlsberg’s delay to announce the outcome of the ultimate sponsorship contest, saying it was becoming a breeding ground for speculation.
Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire last week said they were equally concerned that up to now, Carlsberg are yet to announce the outcome of the ultimate sponsorship.
“The sooner they come out in the open on the issue, the better because this is the appropriate time for teams to plan for the new season,” said Mkandawire.
On his part, Nomad’s Kanyenda said: “There is a lot of speculation. Unfortunately, based on the contractual obligations with Carlsberg Malawi, we are not permitted to comment much on the issue as it could jeopardise our chances of clinching the [ultimate] sponsorship.
“But suffice to say yes, the delay has become a fertile ground for speculation like it was on social networks yesterday [recently] when it was speculated that we had actually landed the sponsorship.
“The truth of the matter, though, is that we have not received any communication and this could create unnecessary tension. It is not a healthy situation.”
Both officials appealed to Carlsberg Malawi to make a prompt decision for the good of all stakeholders.
Carlsberg Malawi sponsored the two teams to the tune of K15 million (about $37 500) each last season and said they would compete for the ultimate sponsorship based on discipline, performance and fair play.
