Y'ello E7.8m package!

MBABANE – The MTN League sponsorship package for the next three seasons would remain at E7.8 million.

A highly placed source close to the negotiations has revealed that the two parties have agreed on the figure which is the same amount for the existing deal which expires at the end of this season.

However, the source said this year’s package excludes the National First Division League package of E300 000 per season. Instead that amount would be added to the existing E1.5 million per season premier league sponsorship to make it E1.8 million as earlier exclusively revealed by this newspaper.

"The two parties have agreed on the package and the PLS was given the room to negotiate an increase in the annual sponsorship starting from the second year of the new contract," the source said.

The PLS has made it known it intends to dump the First Division league as it is a financial drain to the organisation.

The PLS has already written to the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) requesting them to take over the ‘logistical nightmare’ that is the first division league which they have always maintained was a huge financial drain.

The FA has not responded on the matter, but the PLS affiliates are expected to discuss the future of the First Division League during their AGM in July.

The PLS will receive E2.6 million yearly which encompasses the league sponsorship, the CEO salary of E25 000 a month and office administration costs. This therefore would mean that the 2011/12 package would be E1.8 million, but the next season the annual package would increase depending on the negotiations between the two parties.

The negotiations over the new deal have taken over a month, after the sponsors had earlier proposed a E5.4 million package that was turned down by the elite football mother body. The MTN proposal also excluded the First Division package, CEO salary and administration costs.

The E7.8 million deal has been agreed on by both parties.

PLS CEO, Zakhele Dlamini could not be reached for comments yesterday on the matter as he was said to be in South Africa.

MTN Swaziland Corporate Affairs Manager Mpumelelo Makhubu said he would have to consult on the matter before responding.

The new sponsorship package is expected to be unveiled during this year’s presentation to be held after next weekend’s grand closing. Currently, the league champions walk home with E600 000 but under the new deal the amount is likely to increase. Green Mamba, Manzini Wanderers and Manzini Sundowns are the top three teams with a great chance of winning this season league title.

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