The sponsorship has also necessitated a change of their name to Kukoma, the name of cooking oil, one of the company’s products.

Capital Oil Industry Marketing Manager Felix Cheza said the club would be offered a K3 million cash while the other K1.5 million will go towards promotional activities in the next one year.

“We are sponsoring them to the tune of K4.5 million. From the K4.5 million we will give them K3 million and another K1.5 million in terms of support, logistics and promotion for one year. So you will walk with us for one year,” Cheza said.

He appealed to the team to do well in competitions as one way of promoting the brand of Kukoma.

“Maintain your ethics and standards in front of the people. Carry the flag with you. Try to win as many games as you can so that you go in line with Kukoma as a winning brand,” he said.

Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary Carol Bapu applauded the company as the sponsorship would to develop the game of netball in the country.

“As a governing body of netball we want the girls to make a career out of netball as it is the case in other countries but this can only be achieved where there is sound sponsorship,” Bapu said.

“This has been a problem in the country for many years. I am very happy that Kukoma has taken a significant step to pick up Diamonds.”

Alice Kumilonde Kukoma Diamonds General Secretary said the sponsorship would boost the club to regain its status as one of the best in the country.

“Today marks the rebirth of the giant in netball in the name of Kukoma Diamonds. This has been possible to the timely sponsorship from Capital Oil Industry manufacturers of the famous cooking oil Kukoma,” Kumilonde said.

She said lack of sponsorship affected the team’s performance in recent years after Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi.

“The team boasts the best defence in the whole nation and can as well pass for the best technical team on the land. However due to the cease in the sponsorship the team has failed to meet its expectation. The coming in of Kukoma will certainly make the difference,” he said.

“We promise that come December Kukoma will call the sponsor to receive the trophy to mark the end of the season.”