Super League of Malawi (Sulom), will next month clock one year under the leadership of Tiya Somba-Banda, but there has been mixed views on their performance since the committee was ushered into office at Kabumba Hotels in Salima District.
In his manifesto titled, “Leading Football Business”, which focuses on commercialisation, Somba-Banda promised to create and harness a conducive environment for commercialisation of clubs.
Among others, Somba- Banda also promised Caf Champions League package for the TNM Super League champions to enable them participate in the continental showpiece. He also promised to market the game and increase gate revenue through implementation of advance ticket sales and e-ticketing.
When contacted on Friday, Somba-Banda asked for more
time before commenting on the one- year tenure. Yesterday, his phone was unreachable.
However, some clubs have voiced mixed views on the Sulom one -year tenure in office.
Civil Sporting Club, General Secretary, Ronald Chiwaula, said Sulom’s performance was average last year.
“As clubs, we expected a lot from Sulom but their performance was average. In other areas, Sulom did well but the issue of broadcasting rights is still a big thing and we are not yet convinced. But there is room for improvement before the expiry of their term of office,” Chiwaula said.
TN Stars administrator, Jones Banda said the elite league body needs to be given time to achieve their targets.
“I think they have done a good job and we need to part them on the back. Some of the things are work in progress and it is a gradual process so we believ, in the next three years they would achieve what they promised,” Banda said.
Banda said the league governing body should improve on communication of some of the crucial issues.
“For clubs, it was not good for clubs to hear some of the issues through the media yet we were supposed to be communicated to first. I think this is one of the areas Sulom should seriously look into going forward,” he added.
Some soccer analysts were of the view that Sulom should make league professional by among other things improving the welfare of the referees.
In the 2019 season, the referees were on several occasion complaining of unpaid dues.
