Franchise in dilemma
The National, Wednesday September 10th, 2014
By HENRY MORABANG
THE future of Morobe United FC in the tough National Soccer League (NSL) is in limbo following the withdrawal of its sponsorship.
Gigira Laitepo has withdrawn its sponsorship of the club after eight years and the introduction of the semi-professional competition.
The executive chairman of Hides Gas Development Company, Gigira Laitepo’s umbrella, Tuguyawini Libe Parindali said in a letter to MUFC executives that the company, after reviewing its operations had agreed that expenditure would have to be cut and Gigira Laitepo’s sponsorship was one of the victims of the exercise.
The letter dated September 4 reads in part: ‘It is with regret that … HGDC will no longer be supporting the Morobe United FC team as a franchise …’.
Parindali conveyed the management’s best wishes on the club’s search for a new sponsor.
Morobe United FC hardman Toki Mambare described the last-minute withdrawal as a major blow to their preparations for the upcoming season.
“With due respect, it would have been appreciated if we had been advised earlier to give us time to secure a sponsor,” Mambare said.
The deadline for the payment for full K45,000 affiliation fee is September 30.
MUFC chairman Roy Kamen has called on the NSL board to relax the deadline due to its circumstances.