The 2024 TNM Super League kicked off on Saturday but the football fraternity was left with more questions than answers regarding this season’s package.
The teams and the football fraternity were hoping for good news on the opening day of the season but the league kicked off with previous terms.
A well-placed source indicated that Super League of Malawi and sponsors TNM plc were locked in a meeting to resolve the stand-off on Saturday.
The stand-off started after the league governing body unveiled new partners.
However, Sulom President Gilbert Mitawa insisted that there was no need to press the panic button.
“They were working on a revised package as per our request and it is almost done. We are waiting for logistical arrangements for the unveiling,” Mittawa said.
Sulom and TNM signed a contract worth K450 million for three years—which means K150 million per season.
However, Sulom has valued the league at K1.3 billion and are looking for more partners.
The league runners also asked TNM to consider increasing the sponsorship package to at least K500 million per season.
Mittawa could not disclose if TNM has accepted to increase the sponsorship package from the current K150 million per season.
“We asked for a specific figure and they have been very committed since our request. We are, therefore, optimistic and we thank them a lot for being very considerate,’’ he said.
During the official opening match between Dedza Dynamos and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Dedza Stadium, there was no usual pomp associated with the re-launch.
In most games, there was no branding for the sponsors.
TNM Brand and Communications Manager Limbani Nsapato was not readily available for his comment yesterday.
The company has been sponsoring the league since 2006.
Last year, the company increased the sponsorship package to K150 million from K90 million. Champions Bullets pocketed K40 million.
The domestic league is one of the lowly sponsored leagues in the Cosafa region.
In Zambia, MTN and Football Association of Zambia signed a three-year agreement worth $3million, translating to $770,000 every season.
