Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) has secured K11 million sponsorship from international non-governmental organisation (NGO), United Purpose.
The NGO, which champions access to basic clean and modern energy, will bankroll the league for a year under its Chitetezo Mbaula (cooking stoves) banner.
SRFA signed the new deal with the NGO at Football Association of Malawi’s (Fam) Mpira Village in Blantyre yesterday after terminating its contract with Masters Security Services Limited, which sponsored the league for the past two years.
United Purpose official, Lloyd Archer, said the sponsorship will enable them to expose their environmental-friendly mbaula to rural areas.
“Football has a global appeal and it is loved by many. This is the first time for us to sponsor football. We felt that football could be a good vehicle to help us reach out to people in rural areas with our products,” he said.
Archer said they expect Chitetezo Mbaula to become a household name in the region.
SRFA Chairperson, Raphael Humba, described the sponsorship as timely since the league was facing a race against time to kick off this season.
“We have made history by becoming the first association to secure sponsorship from a non-governmental organisation. We promise to run the league professionally and we will be transparent and accountable,” he said.
Fam President, Walter Nyamilandu, described the sponsorship as the new dawn for the league.
“We must commend United Purpose for coming to the rescue of the league. As football lovers, we must buy Chitetezo Mbaula,” he said.
Nyamilandu also said Fam was impressed with measures which SRFA has taken to recover K6 million from Masters Security. The money is for prizes and administration for last season.
SRFA cut ties with Masters as the company was finding it difficult to bankroll the league. One year was remaining on the contract.
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