Sulom relieved by Surestream’s stay
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has said it is pleased that Surestream Academy has made a commitment to continue their programmes in the country despite the recent stand-off with former technical director, Peter Mponda, which led to the former Flames captain taking ownership of the Surestream Football Club.
Mponda was granted the blessings to take over the club on Tuesday after it was established that he registered the club in his name.
Surestream Petroleum Limited had reservations on this and threatened to close the academy.
However, after negotiations facilitated by Sulom, the academy’s directors made a commitment to continue running the academy and allow Mponda, who had resigned from the academy, to run the club on his own.
Sulom treasurer, Tiya Somba Banda, said the outcome of the whole fiasco was vital to the development of football in the country.
“It is a win-win situation. Surestream will continue running the academy and Mponda will have the team and run it on his own. The worst case scenario would have been Surestream Academy pulling out of Malawian football. That could have been a big blow to the efforts of developing football from the grassroots,” he said.
“We are happy that they are staying and they will continue their programmes.
It is good for the development of Malawian football.”
The academy’s Public Relations Manager, Linda Chiume Gombera, said all the Under-12 to Under-18 players were still owned by the academy and would continue their programmes.
“However, the club will not be allowed to use any Surestream facility including the stadium and football equipment,” she said.
Surestream Academy has contributed six players to the Malawi Under-20 national team and two to the senior national team.
Mponda was considered the face of Surestream for the past three years where he guided the football club to Super League promotion within two years after establishment.
He cited internal politics as the reason for his decision to resign from the academy.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
