Sports in Salima have received a major boost after M&B, the producers of the popular Tamu Tamu drink, increased its sponsorship package to K25 million for football and netball development in the district.
The company has raised its support for football from K15 million to K20 million, while also introducing a K5 million sponsorship package for netball, marking a significant expansion of its investment in grassroots sports.
Speaking on the development, M&B representative Macxity Makhuwira said the company recognizes the important role sports play in identifying talent, empowering young people and fostering community development.
“As a company, we remain committed to supporting sports because we believe they provide opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities and pursue their dreams.This is why we have increased our support for football and extended sponsorship to netball,” said Makhuwira.
The increased funding is expected to strengthen football structures in the district while also providing a significant boost to netball, a sport that has traditionally struggled to attract corporate sponsorship.
Salima District Commissioner Thokozile Chingeni Munthali welcomed the company’s investment, describing it as a timely intervention that will help accelerate sports development in the district.
Munthali said the district council remains committed to completing the construction of the Salima Stadium, a facility expected to provide a suitable venue for hosting major sporting events and nurturing local talent.
“The support from M&B demonstrates the importance of partnerships in developing sports. As a council, we will continue working towards improving sports infrastructure so that players have better facilities to develop their skills,” she said.
Salima Football Committee chairperson Adams Cubasaid the sponsorship has already yielded positive results, with several talented players identified through district competitions progressing to higher levels of the game.
According to Cuba, some footballers discovered through the sponsored competitions have gone on to secure opportunities at top clubs, including Kamuzu Barracks FC.
“The sponsorship has been instrumental in helping us identify and develop talented young players. It has created a pathway for many athletes who might otherwise have gone unnoticed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salima Netball Committee official Beatrice Mwale described the K5 million sponsorship package as a historic milestone for netball in the district.Mwale said the funding will help expand participation in the sport, particularly among girls, while improving talent identification and development programmes.
“This is the first time we have received sponsorship of this magnitude. It will go a long way in helping us recruit more players, organize competitions and develop the game across the district,” she said.
The latest investment positions M&B among the key private-sector contributors to grassroots sports development in Malawi, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the funding will help produce the next generation of football and netball stars from Salima.
