The wait has finally ended! Malawi league sponsor Telecom Network Malawi (TNM) will unveil a new package this evening at the Mount Soche Hotel in the commercial city of Blantyre.
The new sponsorship is now worth MWK500 million (around USD 288,000), up from MK150 million, representing a 233.33% increase.
BolaNews sources have this morning revealed that the new package will see the winner receive MWK 100 million instead of K40 million, a 150% increase.
This means that Premier Bet Malawi, which had made a K260 million agreement to co-sponsor the league, will not proceed with their plans.
TNM had planned to announce the new sponsorship before the Malawi League began, but they were unable to do so after league organizers Sulom brought in Premier Bet Malawi, a moved which was opposed by the telecommunication company.
“We have had meetings with TNM over that and finally we agreed. An announcement will be made tonight that I can confirm with you,” said our source from TNM.
Prize money for runners-up also increased
According to the source, the prize money for the runners-up has been increased to MWK40 million from MWK15 million, while the third-place team will receive K15 million.
The teams’ subvention amounts have also been increased to MWK10 million per team.
In January of this year, the Malawi Super League requested that TNM adjust the sponsorship package to K500 million.
Gilbert Mittawa, the league’s president, stated that the sponsorship is valued at approximately MWK1.3 billion.
“The plan was for TNM to contribute K500 million as we source the other remaining gap to bring a total figure of K1.3 billion,” said Mittawa last month.
It is unclear where Sulom will receive additional funding, as the current sponsor is unhappy with other companies co-sponsoring the league.
TNM has sponsored the Malawi League for the past 17 years.
READ MORE: European scouting app Nordensa invites Zambian clubs to send players to Europe