Football Association of Malawi (Fam) President Fleetwood Haiya has come to the rescue of the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) after providing a K25 million sponsorship package.
The development comes after NRFA lost part of its sponsorship from Mzuzu 12, who were co-sponsoring the league with Bishop Simama and Sons.
However, NRFA received a lifeline Sunday when Haiya announced the deal at Mpira Village in Blantyre, saying he had decided to sponsor the league after he was approached by Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V.
The Fam boss said the K25 million was part of the $50,000 honorarium he gets from world football governing body, Fifa.
“If you recall, before I was voted as Fam President, I promised that I would not be using the honorarium from Fifa but, instead, I will be giving it back to football.
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So, today I am taking part of the money to give to the NRFA.
“I would like to thank his majesty, Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V, for showing keen interest in uplifting the game of football in the north. In honour of our chief, the league (NRFA) has been rebranded to M’mbelwa Simso Northern Region Football League,” Haiya said.
Haiya said the NRFA league would run as a marathon, with less than 16 teams taking part in the competition.
He challenged NRFA to intensify efforts to woo the corporate world to support the league in different ways.
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“I am, therefore, requesting NRFA not to relent but search for sponsorship,” Haiya said.
On his part, M’mbelwa V thanked Haiya for rescuing NRFA, saying he had no option but to approach him.
He said the sponsorship package would help in identifying talent for national football teams.
“It is an honour to have the Northern Region Football League by my name. This will encourage chiefs in the north to have a say in matters related to football. We will ensure that the sponsorship is safeguarded.
“Additionally, let me take this opportunity to thank the Fam president for responding to my plea,” M’mbelwa V said.
Meanwhile, NRFA Chairperson Masiya Nyasulu has hailed Haiya for responding positively to the chief’s request.
“For a long time, we have been struggling to get sponsorship and I am happy that, finally, we have K25 million. This will make the league more competitive than ever before,” Nyasulu said.
Last season, Songwe Border United earned TNM Super League promotion after they were crowned league champions.
