By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Standard Bank on Thursday, April 7, 2022 unveiled MK46.1 million sponsorship towards UNAYO regional football leagues.

The sponsorship targets Bank three regions association including SRFA,CRFA and NRFA.

Each region is expected to get MK15,375,000 (MK15.3 million) as it’s share from the total amount per year to run the affairs of the division one league.

The league is expected to reach out to 29 districts in the country and over 64 teams are targeted to take part.

About 700 matches have been estimated to be played and has been given an eight months time frame for it to get completed.

Speaking to journalists at the function which took place at the Bank’s headquarters in the capital Lilongwe Walter Nyamilandu Manda, Football Association of Malawi (FAM} President hailed the bank for coming back into football sponsorship after years out of the system.

He described the gesture as timely saying it will help to unearth the hidden talents in the rural areas which will eventually play at highest level,like in Super League and National teams.

Nyamilandu added that the FA is working on training more coaches, officiating personnel who will patronise the leagues to produce well equipped players.

“For us as football governing body in the country it is a break through we have been looking for very long time because we had huge gap in the structure to promote the sport in rural areas,coming on board with UNAYO makes our programs to be complete as we have high chances now of grooming new players that can take Malawi football forward by qualifying to AFCON and other major tournaments,the leagues will also bring entertainment in the districts”, Manda Joyfully narrated.

Charity Mughogho, Standard Bank Head of Consumer and High Net Worth Clients said the deal comes as the UNAYO platform is set to reach 100,000 wallets milestone for financial inclusion.

“The sponsorship gives the bank the platform for engaging further with their clients spanning across the country, a good majority of whom are passionate about and support local football.

“The UNAYO National Regional Leagues will be played in all 29 districts and it will act as ideal touch point for our digital financial solution and its customers. During the period of the leagues our UNAYO team will be active throughout to support local communities and help them enter into digital economy”, says Mughogho.

Raphael Humba, Southern Region Football Association Chairman, who spoke on behalf of the three regions was extremely happy about the news saying they had problems to run the affairs of division one as they only had the Sponsorship for Premier Division.

He further hailed the bank for the gesture saying it will ease the problems they have been facing in running division one affairs.

Humba added that the league will definitely play a great role in unearthing talent and promised to run the leagues in a professional way to safeguard the deal.

The MK46 million UNAYO sponsorship will cater for the winners’ prizes for top 4 teams in each region leagues, specifically providing support towards Trophies, medals and match balls.

UNAYO has also pledged support for the administration of the league and match officials.

UNAYO as a platform allows wallet holders to run various transactions including sending and receiving money.