NAM to terminate Rach contract
The Rach Family Trust’s (RFT) continued noncommittal on a K600 million netball sponsorship has prompted Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) to opt for contract termination.
NAM president Khungekile Matiya yesterday confirmed the process, saying the decision comes after noting the United Kingdom-based trust’s continued disregard of the deal since they signed a five-year contract in 2016.
The development comes at a time NAM is expected to source funds for preparations for the Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England in July 2019.
A clause in the contract prohibits NAM to legally take the family trust to task as it states that any side can terminate the contract if it feels that the other party is breaching its obligations.
Government, through former sports minister Henry Mussa, is a witness to the failed sponsorship deal.
“We sought legal advice and guidance from the Malawi national council of Sports [MNCS] after analysing the situation and noting that it is high time we told the trust that they are in breach of the contract because they are yet to give us the money they promised,” she said.
“So we are talking to our lawyers on how we can go about it. Government was also involved and we need to follow the proper channel to handle this issue.
“We will write the council before the end of this month notifying them about our reservations and concerns towards the sponsorship because, at the moment, there is nothing that has been disbursed. We have been presenting our budgets to the trust but nothing came into fruition.”
She explained that, at the moment there is no sponsorship for the Queens ahead of the World Cup and they are appealing to well-wishers to assist.
“Of course, we have planned a number of activities to raise funds for the Queens’ preparations. On top of that, we are writing letters to prospective sponsors to help because the trust has been quiet. Even if today we request for funds, they will not respond,” Matiya said.
MNCS executive secretary George Jana has confirmed that they indeed advised NAM to terminate the contract.
“All we did was to advise NAM to officially terminate the contract,” he said.
RTF chairperson Rav Rach could not be reached on his mobile contact for his comment.
According to the contract, RTF was supposed to, among other things, bankroll a national netball league, provide the Queens with funds for their international engagements and local camping, provide uniform and organise refresher courses for coaches, umpires and administrators. NAM was expected to be receiving K120 million per year for five years.
After signing the agreement, the trust also promised to construct a state-of-the art netball court worth about K2 billion.
Rach Family Trust came up with the sponsorship after Airtel Malawi decided not to renew a three-year K360 million Airtel Money netball sponsorship contract. n
