National Sports

Blantyre United reject gate share

Blantyre United on Saturday turned down K200 000 (about $800) that was supposed to be their share from their Standard Bank preliminary final match against Big Bullets.

The match grossed K1.8 million from which the clubs were supposed to get K200 000 each.

United’s general secretary Roy Kachale confirmed the development on Sunday.

“We have refused to get our share because we felt it was too little. To begin with, the gross (K1.8 million) did not reflect the turnout; and to make matters worse, we felt the money that was being offered to the teams was by far on the lower side.

“With this kind of operation, we cannot develop the game,” said Kachale.

He said it is discouraging that while some individuals are pumping in a lot of money to develop the game, they are being let down by the system.

“How can teams that are the source of revenue get peanuts? How, then are we supposed to meet the operational costs?” Kachale wondered.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) outsourced management of the gates in an attempt to improve on revenue, but Kachale argued that the situation was not any better.

He said when they queried FAM on the share, the association claimed the bulk of the money went towards other costs, including ground levy, security and printing of tickets.

“Imagine, FAM claimed that K200 000 had gone towards the printing of tickets and we are saying there is no difference when we compare with the usual system,” added the club’s technical director Lawson Nakoma.

Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire shared United’s sentiments.

“The situation is quite pathetic, but then we have no choice but to accept the little that is there,” said Mkandawire.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda could not be reached for comment.

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