Trophy wrangle rocks NRFA

The newly elected Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) risks losing a K5 million (US$1 million) sponsorship from Premier Gin Malawi unless a trophy in custody of Mzuzu City Socials is returned to the sponsors.

The stakes have gone up from K3 million (US$6000).

Premier Gin managing director Dr Cedric Sapuwa told The Nation on Monday that his company has this year set aside K5 million for  the  inter-constituency tournament on condition that Mzuzu City Socials, who won the 2011 tournament, return the trophy in their custody.

The stakes have gone up from K3 million.

“The agreement was that the winning team would keep the trophy for three months and surrender it back to the sponsors through the regional football committee,” said Sapuwa.

Masiya Nyasulu, who was in the Northern Region Football Committee (NRFC) which ran the tournament, said they tried in vain to get back the trophy from Mzuzu City Socials.

However, Mzuzu City Socials owner, Aston Msukwa, insisted that they will only surrender the trophy after the tournament is launched.

He claims they are entitled to keep the trophy until the sponsors renew their commitment.

“This is a straightforward issue. We will only surrender the trophy once the sponsors relaunch the competition as they promised,” said Msukwa.

NRFA treasurer Chauka Mwasinga said the committee plans to table the issue at its first general meeting next week.