Nico Holdings plc has pumped in a K1 billion a three-year sponsorship into netball to cater for the Malawi Queens and national tournament.
The good news of the Nico Top-12 National Netball Cup, which will run between 2024 and 2027, comes barely a day after Malawi’s First Lady Monica Chakwera hosted the Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) newly-elected committee.
The group’s managing director Vizenge Kumwenda said during the announcement on Tuesday that during the first year they would offer K320 million, K330 million in the second year and K350 million in the third year.
He said they are optimistic that the sponsorship would go a long to develop and help raw talent for the national netball team.
“This sponsorship aims at strengthening the netball foundation and supporting the Malawi National Team, the Queens. As they continue to make us proud, there is no need for them to be supported,” said Kumwenda.
He said the Queens, now ranked seventh in the world and third in Africa, also represent the pride of women, who make almost 55 percent of the country’s 21 million population.
“We are committed to creating a great future for our girls, who want to succeed through netball. Netball is an empowerment tool for girls to dream big and learn discipline, hard-work and focus,” said Kumwenda.
Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Vitumbiko Gubuduza described the sponsorship as a catalyst for netball development.
“Netball has been struggling recently because of inadequate support, especially when it comes to Queens’ engagements and national competitions. With Nico Group’s support, we see netball reaching greater heights,” she said.
Gubuduza also appealed to the corporate world to emulate Nico Group.
In his remarks, Malawi National Council of Sports marketing, planning and infrastructure development director Limbani Matola said Nico Group has indeed shown its seriousness to sports development in the country.
Nico Group, through its subsidiary NBS Bank recently also pumped about K1 billion into the newly-established National Division Football League for three years from next year.
They also bankroll the National Schools Chess League through Nico Asset Managers.
