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Nsejjere drops lawsuit against Sulom

Chikoya (L), Somba Banda (C) and Nsejjere pose after talks
Chikoya (L), Somba Banda (C) and Nsejjere pose after talks

US-based Nsejjere Casual and Sports Wear have dropped a lawsuit they filed in the High Court of Malawi seeking $10 million (K4.6 billion) in damages against Sulom for interference in the replica jerseys deal they entered into with local clubs.

Nsejjere signed replica jersey deals with Silver Strikers, Big Bullets and then Mighty Wanderers (now Be Forward Wanderers). The deals meant the company had exclusive rights to provide sports merchandise to the teams. But Super League of Malawi (Sulom) terminated the contracts after instructing the clubs not to deal with Nsejjere within the first year.

Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba Banda—who brokered the talks with Nsejjere on Sunday in Blantyre—said they had successful talks.

“We have decided to work together with Nsejjere after seeing that they really have the interest of local clubs at heart and their investment plans can take club commercialisation to another level. Starting from January next year, they will continue with their contracts. What we have requested from them is that Sulom be privy to any transaction,” said Somba Banda.

He said one of the conditions for the resumption of the contracts was that Nsejjere drop the court case.

“We are glad that they have agreed to drop the case and now we can move forward and focus on investment rather than fighting in the courts,” said Somba Banda.

In an interview, Nsejjere chairperson Isaac Nsejjere said his coming to Malawi was meant to reason with Sulom and not to destroy football.

“We wanted Sulom to come to their senses. We have a strong case against them and there was no way they could have won. Our objective was not to litigate Sulom, but find a win-win situation,” he said.

Nsejjere are also the sole kit provider for Simba of Tanzania, Nkana Red Devils of Zambia, FC Leopards of Kenya, Asante Kotoko of Ghana and they also have a franchise in 23 African countries providing replica jersey and other sports apparel.

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