Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has organised a reception for the newly crowned TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers at the team’s clubhouse in Lilongwe’s Area 47.
According to one of the directors in the governor’s office, James Njiragoma, the governor Dr Perks Ligoya, will be there to congratulate and celebrate with the players, supporters and the technical staff.
The guest of honour at the function will be Malawi’s Minister of Youth Development and Sports Symon Vuwa-Kaunda.
“Overall, we have invited 50 guests, including the minister. As you are aware, the club was crowned the TNM Super League champions for the 2011/12 season. In view of this, the governor of the Reserve Bank has organised a reception to celebrate the victory. He wants to thank and encourage the players for the good job,†said Njiragoma.
He said, among other things, Ligoya will be presented with the trophy by club officials.
Ligoya has been at the forefront of the team’s success having raised sponsorship to K35 million (about $210 000) last December. RBM also bought a new bus for the team.
In February last year, when Ligoya presented the new bus to Silver Strikers, he challenged the players and the technical staff to deliver on the pitch so that they justify RBM’s continued sponsorship.
“You have a bus, a stadium and monetary support from RBM, what reasons will you give for failure?†Ligoya challenged.
“There is not limit to the support we can give you if you maintain success. All we are demanding from you (players) are trophies. We can go all the way to sponsor you in continental competitions if you are successful domestically,†he added.
Silver had a hearty welcome in Lilongwe on Sunday when a convoy of over 20 cars, accompanied by sponsors TNM, paraded the trophy in some streets.
Meanwhile, Sulom president Innocent Bottomani has said the fact that no Central Region Super League team has been relegated for a third successive season shows that football is improving in the region.
Mafco, who entered the Super League in the 2009/10 season defied relegation at the expense of Blackpool and Nkhata Bay United.
In the 2010/11, newly promoted side Epac FC finished in the top eight whereas the 2012/13 season will see six of the 15 Super League teams coming from the region.
“The success of Central Region teams is also a sign of stability among the teams. They have sponsorship and most of them own grounds unlike teams from the other regions. With such a package, it is easy to succeed,†he said.
Mafco coach Temwa Msuku, whose team took the top flight league by storm after qualifying for the Presidential Cup finals where they lost to Wanderers, tips the region to do well in the next season.
“People are so passionate about football in the region. Even in the Chipiku Premier League, clubs are organised and there is so much competition. That is what attracts crowd and make the sport develop,†said Msuku who concurred with Bottomani on the advantage of owning grounds.
“Most of the clubs in the Chipiku League own grounds and people pay. In the end, they raise money for the running of the clubs,†he said.
