Mibawa gets TV rights nod

Mibawa television has  been awarded television rights for both TNM Super League and matches under Football Association of Malawi (FAM) jurisdiction.

Both FAM and Super League of Malawi (Sulom) confirmed the development yesterday.

Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda said they picked Mibawa after the media house demonstrated capability to broadcast quality football matches.

“We met all media houses and explained to them our expectations. So far only Mibawa has met those expectations. Not only that, but they have also shown interest in live football production more than all the other media houses.

“As a result they have been awarded the matches on piecemeal basis because an agreement has not yet been signed. But all things being equal we can say they, yes they are our broadcasters,” he said.

FAM commercial and marketing manager Limbani Matola also said the association had settled for Mibawa because of their expertise in the football production.

“We would like to confirm that for now FAM is closely working with Mibawa for live television broadcast of the 2019 football matches. Mibawa has so far demonstrated unparalled strong strategic focus, passion and commitment towards live football broadcast,” he said.

Mibawa has so far broadcast Ecobank Charity Shield matches, Malawi women’s football national team Olympic qualifier against Mozambique, Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals and TNM Super League matches.

“It is pleasing to note that they have gone further to invest in equipment, including OB van and scaled up viewership through Star Sat, Azam and we hear they will soon be on DStv,” said Matola.

Mibawa Television owner John Nthakomwa said they had decided to focus on football production in order to bring football to Malawians’ homes.

“Our wish is to ensure we cover as many matches as possible. We are glad that FAM and Sulom have seen our efforts and want to work with us,” he said.

Nthakomwa, however, said the television station is still hoping to improve on its live football production.

 “It’s been a challenge. Even the equipment that we use is not meant for football production,” he said.

Nthakomwa said they owed it to partnership with the corporate world which has also shown interest in sponsoring matches.

Last year, FAM invited bids from interested media houses for matches involving national football teams, Chifundo Charity Shield, TNM Super League, Airtel Top 8, Carlsberg Cup, Fisd Challenge Cup and the yet-to-be introduced Malawi annual football awards.

The association’s general secretary Alfred Gunda said they had received bids from 13 media organisations and that the evaluation process was at an advanced stage.

However, most of them did not meet minimum requirements as stipulated by Confederation of African Football (CAF).