Sulom approves Epac’s change of name

The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has finally approved Epac FC’s change of name to Civil Sporting Club.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda yesterday confirmed the development, saying the process was finalised yesterday.

He said at the time the club played its first game against Mafco FC on Sunday, they were still called Epac FC.

“We could not formalise the change of name because there were some logistics that needed to be followed.

“According to Article 9 of Sulom regulations, a club may be allowed to change its name to incorporate that of its sponsor at the beginning of the league.

“Such process goes with a fee of K200 000,” said Banda.

Civil Sporting Club is being sponsored by the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), previous sponsors of Civil Service (Civo) United which was relegated from the top-flight league last season.

Following prolonged discussions with the owner and management of Epac FC, OPC took over the sponsorship of Epac FC and maintained the bulk of the players from Civo United.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing  manager Casper Jangale said based on the club licensing system, they have also approved the changes.

“We asked for some clarifications from Sulom as regards their regulations in such a situation, which they provided.

“What we did not want was to promote a practice whereby a team can be relegated and then seek return through the backdoor using the same name.

“Civo were relegated and we could not maintain another club by the same name. Further to that, the club licensing committee has made further recommendations to Sulom on how to handle issues of similar nature in future,” he said.