Road to Sulom

The battle for Super League of Malawi presidency has started ahead of the polls slated for next month. Incumbent president Tiya Somba Banda kept a tight lid when asked whether he will seek a second term in office. Malawi football deserves progressive Sulom,” Somba-Banda said.

The battle for Super League of Malawi (Sulom) presidency has started ahead of the polls slated for next month.

Sulom is expected to elect new office bearers at its elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will take place on February 25 at a venue yet to be identified.

But the battle for the league governing body’s presidency is likely to be an intense one this year as aspirants are keeping their cards close to their chest. While Sulom is yet to open nomination process ahead of the polls, some have already positioned themselves.

Incumbent president Tiya Somba Banda kept a tight lid when asked whether he will seek a second term in office.

“Let us cross the bridge when we get there. Malawi football deserves progressive Sulom,” Somba-Banda said.

Rumours are rife that Nyasa Big Bullets vice president Fleetwood Haiya is eyeing the Sulom presidency.

In an interview Friday, Haiya said he was yet to decide on the matter.

“There is pressure from some sections asking me to contest for the Sulom presidency. I am still consulting and I will make a decision in 10 days time,” Haiya said.

An aspirant must get nomination from at least one team to be eligible to contest.

The mandate for current Sulom executive, which was ushered into office in 2019 in Salima District, is set to expire in February.

However, Sulom Treasurer Malinda Chinyama, despite reports suggesting that he was seeking re-election, said he will make his decision after preparing financial report.

“I am working on financial report and it will be absurd to consider re-election when I have prepared the reports for our stakeholders,” Chinyama said.

Sulom vice president Gilbert Mitawa also confirmed that he is seeking second-term.

“Yes, I will contest for the same post,” Mitawa said. However, General Secretary Williams Banda is yet to come out in the open.

Executive Member Charles Manyungwa Friday said he will wait for the nomination process.

“It is difficult for me to make it clear at the moment. If I get nomination, I will contest,” Manyungwa said.

During the 2019 campaign period, the current leadership in its manifesto titled Leading Football Business promised to introduce e-ticketing, refurbish MDC Ground, improved gate revenue share and sourcing package for Caf Champions League representative, among others.

Blue Eagles chairperson Alexander Ngwala said there were so many divisions in the current Sulom leadership.

“The presidency was not usually visible and accessible at times of need to provide policy and operational guidance. The whole association was in the hands of one person.

“Sulom did not form independent forum to facilitate fixtures. This resulted into giving preferential treatment to certain teams. This affected entire management of Super League,” he said.

Karonga United General Secretary Ramsy Simwaka said Sulom failed to fulfil some of the promises.

“Sulom promised a lot but very little has been fulfilled,” he said.

It has been a mixed bag for the current executive committee.

Sulom managed to negotiate for improved Super League sponsorship to K100 million from K90 million.

Just recently, Sulom secured K100 million from Fam which will go towards clubs as grants.