Sulom Installs New President Amid Push for Reform
LILONGWE, Malawi - In a bid to revitalize Malawi's top soccer division, delegates at an extraordinary meeting of the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) on Saturday ushered in a new era of leadership, endorsing Col. Gilbert Mitawa as the organization's president, writes Alinafe Nyanda.
Mitawa, who replaces Fleetwood Haiya after his move to the Football Association of Malawi, inherits a league in need of an overhaul - both financially and structurally. And in his first remarks as president, Mitawa did not temper expectations.
"We are growing this league to admirable heights, and for the first time an e-ticketing system will be implemented this season in some of the grounds," Mitawa told reporters, his deep voice booming with conviction. He also revealed that just hours earlier, Premier Bet had been unveiled as "one of the greatest segmented league partnerships" in a bid to bolster teams' finances.
For Mitawa and his newly elected seven-member executive committee - which saw the addition of William Nhlane after a runoff vote - the road ahead will be arduous. Concerns over corporate sponsorships, stadium infrastructure and player salaries have long plagued the 16-team league.