Haiya Pumps K25 Million into NRFA, League Named After Mmbelwa

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President, Fleetwood Haiya, has injected K25 million into the Northern Region Football League, becoming its sponsor starting from the 2025–26 season. The duration of the sponsorship remains unspecified.

The announcement was made on Sunday at Mpira House in Blantyre, where Haiya, alongside Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa V and Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) officials, held a press briefing.

Speaking during the event, Haiya said he was approached by Inkosi Mmbelwa, who informed him that the league had yet to secure partners for the new season. As a result, he decided to support the league through the association.

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Haiya revealed that the K25 million is part of the $50,000 he receives annually from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), funds allocated to FA presidents for grassroots football development.

“This money is always used to fill gaps in our football. Last year, we had a gap in youth football and allocated K15 million. If we identify gaps in women’s football or again in youth football, we will redirect funds accordingly. This is a gap-filler,” said Haiya.

He added that there is no fixed period for the sponsorship, and he encouraged NRFA not to become complacent but to continue seeking additional partners.

Haiya also announced that the league will be named the Mmbelwa Northern Region Football League in honour of Inkosi Mmbelwa.

Meanwhile, His Majesty Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa V said he approached Haiya as a friend and was pleased with the positive response, especially with the league being named after him.

“This will go a long way in helping to develop football in the country and benefit the national team as we expose talent from our region. We must manage the sponsorship properly to sustain it,” said Mmbelwa.

Reacting to the development, NRFA Chairperson Mato Othsiya Nyasulu thanked Haiya for the support and assured him that the league will be well-managed. However, he also appealed for additional sponsorship.

“We are calling for sponsors. We are calling on the corporate world to partner with us. Although we have K25 million, managing a league involves many activities and this may not be enough. Our doors remain open for more partners,” said Nyasulu.

The NRFA was without a sponsor for the 2025–26 season following the expiration of the Mzuzu 12 partnership, which was funded by a group of 12 businessmen from Mzuzu.

So far, K7 million from the new sponsorship has already been used to purchase jerseys for each participating team. The association will also distribute match balls as part of the support package.