TNM meets Flames’ K5 million shortfall
After the collapse of the SMS promotion campaign, TNM has still displayed commitment to Flames’ cause by donating the K5 million ($10 000) shortfall towards their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations remaining assignments.
Presenting the donation yesterday, TNM chief commercial officer Dan Makata said the money was given following an appeal from FAM.
“As the biggest biggest sponsor of football, TNM feels obliged to come to the rescue of our national team. As a brand, TNM is in football for long-term and is anxious to see Flames qualify. Anything we can do to clear any hurdles they may face, we are always keen to do it, and this donation reaffirms that commitment,” said Makata.
“All challenges being cleared, TNM is ready to go the next step to ensure that we contribute to the financial stability of the Flames. They’re our nation’s pride and we cannot afford to let them down,” he said.
According to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) budget for the remaining qualifiers against Mali (today) and Ethiopia (away next Wednesday), the Flames needed K50 million and as of yesterday, they were short of K5 million.
This was after the team’s official sponsors Carlsberg Malawi gave FAM a K25 million bank loan guarantee. The Flames also got a K10 million donation from Airtel Malawi and FAM is hoping to raise K10 million from gate takings in this afternoon’s encounter.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu described the donation as a commendable and welcome gesture.
“We are humbled by their generosity because they continue to dig deeper into their pockets for the cause of football every year,” said Nyamilandu.
“This donation marks the successful completion of the fund-raising campaign and what a good way to wind up the campaign,” he said.
Meanwhile, Carlsberg Malawi and FAM have come out in the open to clarify that the reason TNM’s SMS promotion offer fell by the wayside was because Carlsberg, as the official Flames sponsor, has the exclusive rights to run promotions for the national soccer team.
Carlsberg Malawi senior brands manager (alcoholics) Twikale Chirwa clarified the issue in an e-mail response to a questionnaire.
“We encourage corporates and the general citizenry that wish to provide assistance to the Malawi national team, the Flames. Carlsberg is committed to developing football in Malawi at all levels and, therefore, supports such action from corporates and the general citizenry.
“However, we would also like to clarify that Carlsberg has exclusive rights to run promotions with the Malawi national team and as such, third-party promotions with the national team would be a breach of the contract between Carlsberg and the Football Association of Malawi,” wrote Chirwa.
