TNM impressed with improved patronage

TNM, sponsors of the TNM Super League, have expressed satisfaction with the patronage during matches in the just ended 2012/2013 season.

TNM chief commercial officer Charles Kamoto said this during the TNM Super League prize presentation ceremony on Friday evening at the Presidential Hotel in Lilongwe.

He said last season’s turnout of fans was the best ever since the mobile phone service company started sponsoring the league in 2006.

“One of the major objectives when we started sponsoring the league was to bring the fans back to the stadium. When we started the attendance for local games was very low.

“But I stand here to say that we are proud that fans are back in stadiums and this season was just superb. It was fantastic to see fans fill match venues in most games regardless of which teams were playing. We are really impressed,” said Kamoto.

He added: “The standards of the league were also satisfactory and we saw the champions being determined by goal difference. It certainly doesn’t get any better.”

He also claimed that the company has pumped in more than the K65 million (about $167 000) official sponsorship in the just ended season.

“The sponsorship is pegged at K65 million a season, but the rising cost of goods and services made us spend more than that to ensure that quality and standards of the leagues were not compromised,” he said.

He added: “We are here to celebrate the success of last season and we did have a successful season. We have enjoyed good relationship with Sulom despite many challenges. We would like also to thank government for the continued support we have received. As we move forward, we urge all involved with the league to carefully reflect on the past season.”

Kamoto said the key driver for TNM continued sponsorship is good governance, violence free games and improved standard of play.

Sulom president Innocent Bottomani attributed the success of the league to a conducive working environment among stakeholders and political will prevailing in the country plus dedicated sponsorship from TNM.

“Without you (TNM) football in Malawi would not have been where it is now. We are very grateful as Sulom,” he said.

Bottomani also thanked FAM for a healthy working relationship that has seen the two implement a number of projects together.

Taking his turn, FAM second vice-president Pikawo Ngalamira also described the past season as a success, but called on Sulom to work towards harmonising fixtures so as to have a smooth league.

“I also wish to call upon Sulom to improve on get collections so that revenue can be fully maximised. As FAM, we are always happy working with Sulom and they are doing a great job and winning the confidence of the sponsors,” said Ngalamira who represented the association’s president Walter Nyamilandu.

Ngalamira also urged teams to improve on players contract issues next season in order to avoid controversies that arise when players want to move.

“The just ended season just like others before was once again characterised by wrangles between teams and players regarding the validity of their contracts. We would like to encourage Sulom to come up with a system that will ensure proper contracts,” he said.

Minister of Youth Development and Sports Enoch Chihana said the standards of the league and local football in general, have improved a lot since TNM started sponsoring the league.