Teams anxious on TNM sponsorship
With the first-half of the TNM Super League drawing to a close, clubs are anxious to know the position of sponsorship.
This follows Super League of Malawi’s (Sulom) silence on negotiations with the mobile network telecommunications service providers.
But Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda and TNM sponsorship manager Limbani Nsapato said they would announce the position of the sponsorship soon.
Said Nsapato: “I cannot say much, but the negotiations are ongoing. We will communicate very soon.”
Mzuzu Warriors general secretary Donnex Chilonga said although the Covid-19 pandemic has affected normal life, Sulom should have come out clear on the sponsorship negotiations.
“We know that there are forces derailing the negotiations, but we should have been updated,” said Chilonga.
He said there are high expectations from the clubs on the new deal.
“This has been a discussion for clubs as they would like to know what exactly will go down to clubs. When we compare with other countries, clubs here are suffering,” he said.
Nyasa Big Bullets chief administration Albert Chigoga, whose team is the defending champion, was quoted by our sister newspaper The Nation as saying “the contract package should be reviewed”.
“He said: “If TNM wants to extend the contract, then they have to review the sponsorship package, especially the prize money.
“Seriously, in this day and age K15 million for the league winners is, by far, on the lower side.
“We are not saying they reach our expectations, but let them come up with something satisfactory because, as it stands, it is very discouraging.”
Chigoga is also reported to have said the K1 million subvention has been stagnant for a long time, and needs to be reviewed.
“Sulom should not be excited with intention for sponsorship extension. They should have the bargaining power, and not be at the receiving end,” said Chigoga.
TNM sponsors the league at K90 million, with champions receiving K15 million,
In South Africa’s flagship league, DStv Premier Soccer League champions receive R15 million (about K900 million)whereas in Botswana, league winners get 1.3 million pula (about K97 million).
