Barely a year after signing a three-year deal with Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Standard Bank plc has withdrawn its K46.1 million sponsorship for Division One leagues in the country’s three regions.

Both Standard Bank and FAM have confirmed the  development.

Santhe Admarc players celebrate after winning the Central Region last year

In an interview yesterday, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said the three-year sponsorship was subject to annual renewal and the bank decided to withdraw for “non-football related reasons”.

He said: “The bank informed us about their decision last month and we understood their situation. We had a three-year partnership renewable every season. So, it will not be renewed for this year.

“It is a big loss to Malawi football as we were looking forward to a longer partnership with the bank after they returned to the game last year for the first time in six years.

“We treasure the good times and support the bank gave community football and would  like to thank Standard Bank for making a bold decision to become the first ever sponsor of the Division One leagues nationwide. Considering that the reasons given are not football related, we have huge hope that they will return very soon and our door remains open for future partnerships.”

Standard Bank plc spokesperson Nyambura Chege said she could not comment on the bank’s decision to pull out the sponsorship

Reacting to the development, Southern Region Football Association chairperson Raphael Humba said the withdrawal of the sponsorship which was under Unayo brand was a big blow.

He said: “We had already started registration of the teams to compete for this year’s competition when we were told of the development.

“We successfully concluded everything last season and we were looking forward to the second year of the sponsorship. At least they should have warned us that they will not be coming back.”

Northern Region Football Association chairperson Lameck Khonje also said he was disappointed by the development.

He said: “Of course, it is disappointing to see them go after the success of the first year.”

However, FAM has stepped in to bail put the regional leagues to ensure there is no gap and sponsors the leagues which will be renamed Mpira TV Regional Division One Leagues.

The sponsorship will be through newly-introduced K75 million special grant subventions to the regional associations

Gunda said: “Initially, the grants funds were earmarked for other competitions related activities, but we aligned with the regional associations to re-allocate the K15 million to the leagues to ensure that there is no gap in the regional competitions. We have already embarked on the process of finding a new sponsor.”

He also declined to say what action the association will take due to te breach of contract.

Humba thanked FAM for stepping in to bail out the regional associations.

On his part, Khonje said the impact of the sponsorship withdraw would not be felt following FAM’s intervention.

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