President of the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) Fleetwood Haiya, on Monday night urged companies and well-wishers to invest in Super League teams to escalate the development of football in the country.
During a kit sponsorship unveiling ceremony for Karonga United FC held at Riverside Hotel in Lilongwe, Haiya said such partnerships are based on a win-win arrangement.
Karonga United FC have entered into a two-year partnership with InfraWorks Development Group of Companies that will see the company providing two sets of playing jerseys per season for home and away matches and replicas for sale to fans.
The deal also involves the provision of track suits for players and technical panel.
The company will have leverage of its brand publicity and marketing as Karonga United FC main shirt sponsor.
Haiya said: “This kind of partnership should bring business to the company as its services will be marketed through Karonga United FC. Infraworks must make good use of this opportunity. Let me appeal to other corporate organisations to replicate what Infraworks has done because top flight football is a huge platform for marketing and sales”.
The SULOM president further stressed of the urgency to foster a robust commercialization drive within Malawi’s football landscape that would encourage corporates to invest into football not only to amplify their visibility but also to contribute to the sustainability of the game.
Haiya personally procured a jersey at MK1 million while Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda bought his at MK1.5 million.
Karonga United FC chairman, Alufeyo Chipanga expressed gratitude; describing the gesture as encouraging and phenomenal since the club was established in 2008.
“This gesture is unprecedented since our club’s inception. With this support, I am very confident that our team perform better in the Super League and cups next season albeit the club maintaining its top flight league status.
Chipanga said the club’s expenses when they travel for away matches especially in the Southern region usually fall in the region of MK5 million per trip.
Chipanga said the partnership will help the club manage its financial obligations which have been a tall order.
