TNM rescues BB's Caf campaign

Cash-strapped Big Bullets have received a K15 million ($33 333) rescue package from mobile phone company, TNM to enable the Malawi TNM Super League champions fulfill their 2015 Caf Champions League assignments.

The Blantyre giants, who were racing against time to secure the sponsorship, travel to Comoros islands for a date against that country’s giants Fomboni Club de Moheil next week on Saturday.

The package is in response to the Bullets’ appeal for funds to enable them meet fixture obligations, TNM chief commercial Officer Dan Makata said on Thursday.

Apart from the K15 million, TNM has also donated two sets of uniforms worth K1 160 000 ($ 3 555) to the Bullets. The uniforms are for away and home games.

Makata said to ensure financial viability of the Bullets Champions’ League project, the mobile operator has launched an SMS promotion to raise funds from its customers.

“As a proud and patriotic Malawian service provider, we are giving Big Bullets an advance of K15 million to be recovered from the revenue we’ll generate through the SMS promotion. Further, we are donating two sets of uniform as a part of our corporate social responsibility,” Makata said.

Makata said with a customer base of more than K2.5 million($5 555), TNM estimates to raise K30 million ($66 666) from the promotion, which will run for eight weeks.

Customers are requested to send their SMS to the code 2015 and each SMS costs K50, of which K40 goes to the club.

He said lucky customers stand a chance of winning up to K2 million ($4 444) in cash prizes and airtime worth K100 000 during fortnight draws. One lucky customer will win K1 million during the grand draw.

“We urge all TNM customers to participate in the promotion to assist the Bullets’ cause while at the same time standing a chance of winning big cash and airtime,” he said.

The Bullets need some $400 000 to fulfill all their Caf engagements.