Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has requested for a meeting with The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) following TNM’s suspension of the Super League’s sponsorship extension talks.
CFTC Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Malonda, Tuesday confirmed Sulom’s request after TNM suspended the talks in reaction to the commission’s order for a review of clauses in the sponsorship agreement.
“They are asking us for a round table discussion in terms of the implementation of our decision,” Malonda said.
She justified their order, saying the law mandates them to act, adding that their interest was in a sponsorship deal that promotes football development.
“Our intervention is not targeting a company. Our findings are based on evidence and any sponsor is entitled to make any reaction. We will not disclose as to who complained. We are empowered to investigate any case where we feel that something is wrong,” Malonda explained.
She also dismissed Sulom’s assertion that CFTC was failing to differentiate between corporate social responsibility and football sponsorship.
The commission deems some clauses in the contract, which will expire on April 12 2017, as being contrary to Competition and Fair Trading Act, hence called for a review before signing a new deal.
CFTC called for a review of clauses that restrict other mobile services providers from domestic elite football involvement.
Before suspending the talks with Sulom, TNM had hinted on a contract extension 10 years.
Over the weekend, Sulom General Secretary, Williams Banda, condemned CFTC’s approach to the sponsorship deal.
“Sulom was dismayed with [sic] the fact that the complainant in this matter is not known and CFTC proceeded to act in line with their mandate,” Banda wrote in a press released.
“CFTC has also failed to differentiate [between] football sponsorship and corporate social responsibility. In view of this development, it is very unlikely that the league shall kick off on April 8 2017.”
Fam President Walter Nyamilandu, has since confirmed that their legal team had joined forces with their Sulom counterparts to negotiate with TNM. The government has also intervened in the matter.
TNM’s decision has attracted mixed reactions from clubs.
Silver Strikers Interim General Secretary, Thabo Nyirenda, said there was need for the opening up of the sponsorship deal to more companies.
Nyasa Big Bullets administrator Macward Themba said the delayed kick off of the league would be costly for teams.
The disagreement has occurred a week after Fam secured a three-year K198 million sponsorship from TNM’s
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