Bullets appeal for sponsorship

By Aubrey Sumbuleta
BBC Sport, Blantyre

Bullets cut sponsorships ties with Bakili Muluzi on Sunday

Malawi's leading club Big Bullets have appealed for potential sponsors to rescue them from their financial woes.

On Sunday, Bullets announced they had cut their sponsorship ties with former Malawi president Bakili Muluzi.

Muluzi had shown little interest in continuing to bankroll the club after retiring as Malawian head of state last year.

Bullets chairman Sunduzwayo Madise says his club's finances are now in a critical condition.

We only have about US$300 in our account which will make it very difficult for us to finish the Malawi Super League Bullets president Sunduzwayo Madise

"At the moment, we only have about US$300 in our account which will make it very difficult for us to finish the second round of the Malawi Super League," he said.

Madise disclosed the team has embarked on an intensive sponsor-trawling exercise following the cutting of ties with Muluzi at the weekend.

Since Muluzi's retirement, Madise says the club has been facing financial difficulties because the former president was not offering his help.

Muluzi's spokesperson Sam Mpasu said the former president has no intention of challenging the club's decision.

"Dr Muluzi believes in freedom of association and he is happy to see the club do what they think is right for them," said Mpasu.

Formerly known as Bakili Bullets when sponsored by Muluzi, the club changed its name to Big Bullets.

The former president's sponsorship deal with Bullets, which was for five years, had originally been scheduled to end in 2008.

There had been speculation within Malawi for months that Muluzi's deal with the club would end.

Muluzi drops Malawi league

The politician had pumped nearly US$170,000 into the club, but the money was used within one year rather than the five years intended.

Muluzi also ended his sponsorship of the Malawi Super League earlier this year in May.