FAM jilts TNM on Flames promo
FAM on Thursday cancelled at the eleventh hour a press conference that was supposed to unveil a TNM promotion to raise K62 million (about $138 000) needed for the Flames to fulfil their remaining 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and TNM had jointly called for the press briefing in Blantyre where logistics pertaining to the promotion were expected to be spelt out.
According to a well-placed source, the press conference was cancelled because Flames official sponsors, Carlsberg Malawi Limited, want to be involved in the venture.
“Everything was set, but at the very last minute FAM asked for a postponement so that Carlsberg [Malawi] should be involved in the drive,” said the source.
He also claimed that TNM will get nothing from the initiative and that all proceeds from the SMS promotion would go directly towards the Flames’ cause.
The Nation
has in its possession copies of some of the banners for the promotion, one of which reads: “Magic happens when we come together. Together we can take the Flames to Afcon 2015.
“Simply send an SMS written ‘Flames’ to 2015.
However, while confirming that the meeting had been postponed due to logistical hitches, TNM public relations and sponsorship manager Limbani Nsapato referred The Nation to FAM.
“This was supposed to be a joint press conference. On our part, we were ready, but we were contacted to consider postponing the press conference, for the reasons, FAM should be in a better position to know because the suggestion to postpone it came from them. Otherwise, we were ready,” said Nsapato.
However, Nsapato confirmed that the three parties were slated to meet later on Thursday.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed that the press conference was postponed because the three parties [including Carlsberg] have to agree on the modalities of the promotion.
“Being the national soccer team’s official sponsor, Carlsberg cannot be left out of the initiative, so that they can play a meaningful part,” said Nyamilandu.
Nsapato and Nyamilandu hinted that the press conference might, instead, take place today.
Carlsberg Malawi Limited senior brands manager (alcoholics), Twikale Chirwa, could not be reached for comment as he was said to be in a meeting.
a Carlsberg dyela they are fools they are the ones spoiling our football in malawi. super league had no sponsor until TNM rescued us, the same fools carlsberg officials did harm to bullets and noma by stopping sponsoring them without valid reasons. here they come again TNM wants to rescue the flames they want to hinder the initiative. Anzawo they are creative a carlsberg where were you look what TNM is doing to clubs with supporter mapeto carlsberg officials you are greedy, you are fools. Let us accept TNM is a true partner as far as football is concerned in Malawi a carlsberg you just want to exploit zanu zikakuyendelani mumawataya anthu. Malawians we should not accept this