Court order over broadcast rights relieves FAM
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) commercial and marketing Limbani Matola says the association is relieved that the court has set aside an injunction Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) obtained stopping the association from beaming matches.
MBC obtained the injunction through their lawyers Makiyi, Kanyenda & Associates to stop Mibawa Studios or any company from being content producers for Mpira Television, saying they were not convinced with the tendering process.
But the court order, High Court of Malawi Judge Dingiswayo Madise issued yesterday in Blantyre, has allowed Mibawa Studios to broadcast live football matches this weekend until inter partes hearing of the matter on November 25.
Reads the court order in part: “Upon hearing counsel for the defendant and upon reading the sworn statement of Alfred Gunda [Football Association of Malawi general secretary] it is this day adjudged that the order of injunction dated 13th November, 2021 be and is hereby varied to allow Mibawa Television to be the Pay TV host/content producer through Zuku TV in respect of only the remaining Airtel Top 8 season four games pending further discussions to be issued by the court pursuant to the directions in clause 2 below.
“That counsel for the claimant shall draw up the formal order abridging time lines for taking out and hearing inter partes process under the order of this court dated 13th November 2021. Such applications be filed and served no later than 19th November and heard on Thursday, 25th November 2021.”
In an interview yesterday, Matola confirmed that the High Court in Blantyre vacated the order, paving the way for Mibawa Studios to produce content for Zuku TV to beam Airtel Top 8 quarter-final matches between Nyasa Big Bullets and Mafco tomorrow and Mighty Wanderers and Moyale on Sunday at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.
He said: “We are pleased to inform all football-loving Malawians that the MBC court injunction has been varied. The court has guided that the Airtel Top 8 games this weekend at Chitowe Ground in Nkhotakota will be broadcast.
“It’s a big relief for now as for the rest we will be guided by the court.”
On his part, lawyer representing MBC David Kanyenda said yesterday he was yet to be served with the order.
He said: “Our firm has not been served with court process by FAM or their lawyers. As far as we are aware, the injunction order remains in place.
“The presiding judge gave directions that the interparte application should be heard on 25 November. We have been directed to serve FAM and Mibawa with interparte application not later than 19th November and we shall comply.”
MBC director general George Kasakula obtained the injunction barely a week after FAM unveiled the Mpira TV production and broadcasting deal worth K350 million per year with Mibawa Studios and Zuku Television.
