Clubs could wait longer for patronage increase

TNM Super League clubs could wait longer to enjoy patronage of more than 250 fans at their games as Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced two weeks ago.

On April 20, Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 co-chairperson Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda, who is also Minister of Health, said they could consider raising the number of patronage to half of the venues capacity.

But Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary Williams Banda said yesterday they cannot allow more than 250 fans to watch games until they get official communication from the authorities.

A Ntopwa player (L) challenges a Chitipa United opponent in a league match

“We have not been informed that we should allow teams to have more than 250 fans to watch their games. Until that is done, only 250 fans will be allowed,” he said.

Banda appealed to clubs to be patient and respect the government directive to restrict public gatherings to 250 people.

On his part, Football Association of Malawi Covid-19 Task Force chairperson Chimango Munthali also said in the absence of information they cannot allow more than 250 fans to watch games.

“We are eagerly waiting for official information to allow half capacity to watch games. We rely on formal communication such as press statements and gazetted law. As a law-abiding institution we will wait for official information,” he said.

In an interview yesterday, Ministry of Health spokesperson Joshua Malango also said the decision is yet to be made.

Chiponda, could not be reached yesterday, but she was quoted as having assured of raising the patronage after Nomads general secretary Fadwick Matemba and Nyasa Bullets Central Region supporters committee chairperson Austin Kasito met her in Lilongwe to consider raising the number in their Blantyre derby played on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.

She said: “I understand the predicament in which football teams find themselves in, considering that they depend on gate revenue for their operations.

“In fact, I assured them that when we meet, we will table the issue and we will ease the restrictions and allow 50 percent of the capacity at football matches.”