Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) has revealed that the sponsorship for the 2019 SIMSO League has dropped to K5 million from K7 million last season.

Speaking to YFM during its Annual General Meeting, NRFA chairperson for Felix Mbonekera said this follows the phasing out of its contract with Pulora Cooking Oil Company at the end of 2018 season.

Mbonekera however said up to now the company has not yet honoured the pledge it made last season, a development that forced the association to borrow K2 million during the prize presentations to teams as well as media awards.

He has since disclosed that his committee is still discussing with Pulora officials to make sure they honour the pledge.

“Our sponsors Bishop Abraham Simama emphasized that come 2019 the sponsorship will remain at K5 million but as NRFA we know we will organise something so that it should be K7 million again,” Mbonekera said.

Meanwhile Technical Director for Ekwendeni United Albert Nkhata expressed concern over the drop of the sponsorship.

Nkhata was however quick to applaud NRFA for organizing the meeting, saying clubs have articulated their concerns and views to the northern region football governing body and have been taken into consideration.

On the issue of poor officiation, Nkhata said NRFA need to change the rules whereby this season match officials should not be allowed to officiate home games to end incidences of match fixing.

The 2019 SIMSO League is expected to kick off on 20 April and 18 teams are expected to participate.