OG Isaa withdraws sponsorship: Blow to Malawi netball

The marriage between Southern Region Netball League and OG Group of Companies ended on Saturday following the announcement that the company will not continue bankrolling the league.

The announcement was made during the final game between Diamonds Sisters and Complex Tigresses, which saw Diamonds being crowned champions with a 36-33 victory.

OG Plastic deputy general manager Francis Mponela said the company will no longer continue sponsoring the league due to other commitments. He did not elaborate.

“We will no longer be able to come back because we have other commitments. We have been sponsoring the league for a period of five years and pulling out now is very sad,” he said.

League chairperson Khungikile Matiya described the news as step back in the development of netball in this country.

Matiya said this will affect not only Southern Region League but Malawi Queens since most of the players play for the national team.

She was however, optimistic that they will talk with the company to rescind its decision.

“It is very sad but we are optimistic that they can rescind their decision. We will try to talk with their management and hoping for a positive answer,” said Matiya.

OG Group Companies came to sponsor the League after Real Life Insurance pulled out.