The new TNM Super League sponsorship agreement between TNM plc and Super League of Malawi (Sulom) is in danger of collapsing following alleged breach of contract.
Sources from both TNM and Sulom have confided in us that the sponsor is unhappy because the Super League governing body welcomed another partner without consulting the company, which has been sponsoring the top flight competition since 2006.
Following the row, TNM has twice postponed the unveiling of a new deal, demanding benefits it will get now that the league has new partners.
“Sulom has allocated to the new partner some of the benefits which TNM was getting, besides announcing the new partners without prior notice,” the source said.
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The unveiling of the new package was slated for Wednesday before being rescheduled to yesterday.
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But Sulom President Gilbert Mittawa insisted that they engaged TNM before partnering the new firm.
“Before agreeing with the new partner, we engaged TNM. We wrote them officially and they never expressed any reservations. As such, we will wait to hear from TNM on the new sponsorship.
“We value TNM a lot because of their commitment to the league and we are certain that they will continue to partner us to grow the league and their brand,” Mittawa said.
He then justified Sulom’s stance in securing another partner.
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“We cannot leave the whole burden of sponsoring the league on TNM. That is why we have been engaging other partners to come in so that, by the end of the day, we get the best for the league,” he said.
Sources indicated that both parties were discussing the matter in a bid to resolve the impasse before the 2024 season kicks off.
However, TNM Brand and Communications Manager Limbani Nsapato downplayed the matter.
“There is no standoff and I am hearing it from you. As for the unveiling of the new package, we did not set a fixed date,” Nsapato said.
The new season kicks off Saturday with Dedza Dynamos hosting champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Dedza Stadium in the launch match.
