NAM cries foul over World Cup TV rights
International Netball Federation (INF) has not given Malawi national netball team a share of the past two Netball World Cup television broadcasting rights deals, tickets and advertising proceeds, Weekend Nation understands.
This is despite INF previously confirming that Netball World Cup finalists, unlike the Fast5 World Series, are entitled to a share of the funds.
The last time Malawi got its cut was in 2007 when it participated at the tournament in New Zealand.
In an interview, Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) general secretary Carol Bapu confirmed they had not received the 2015 and this year’s finals share.
“Last time (2015) we did not receive. Let’s wait and see what will happen this time around,” she said.
Bapu said since she became GS three years ago, NAM has never received any communication from INF on the TV rights deals share.
“INF has never been open on the deals. Even at its congress, nothing is discussed regarding the TV deals,” she said.
“We don’t even know how the funds are distributed.”
Asked whether they had enquired from INF on the share arrangements, Bapu said no effort has been made.
INF had not responded to our questionnaire, but its spokesperson Angela Sanderson told Weekend Nation earlier that they owe Malawi the 2015 World Cup proceeds cut.
“All teams participating in the Netball World Cup receive a share of the surplus made by the event as a whole, including income from the sale of broadcasting rights. The process for the release of the funds is on-going,” she said in 2016.
Sanderson refused to disclose the amount Malawi was supposed to receive: “Unfortunately, the agreements for the broadcasting rights are commercial in confidence, therefore cannot be disclosed.”
NAM former president Rose Chinunda, who led the association for 12 years, said the Queens only received their share in 2007. She could not disclose the amount.
She said NAM also pushed INF to honour the 2015 finals payment, but it did not.
Meanwhile, sports analysts George Chiusiwa said it was shocking that NAM has not been aggressive in following up on the broadcasting rights issues.
“I think it is high NAM had a secretariat with financial experts and marketers to handle these matters,” he said.
Weekend Nation tried to contact Netball South Africa if it has been receiving its broadcasting share but it had not responded to our questionnaire as we went to press.
At this year’s World Cup in Liverpool, England, the television broadcasting rights were secured by BBC and Sky Sports.
Additionally, over 75 000 tickets, costing between £10 and £60 each, were sold out, according to IFN website www.inf.com.
