Editors PickNational Sports

Clubs cry foul over derby gross

 

Despite the cheapest ticket fetching K2 000 (about $4) and the Kamuzu Stadium filling to the brim, last Saturday’s Blantyre derby grossed K22.8 million (about $32 676) much to the dissatisfaction of the clubs.

Age-old rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers played out a one-all draw in a TNM Super League contest.

On the other hand, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda said the revenue was a reflection of the turnout.

“At K2 000, a manageable size crowd came,” said Somba-Banda.

There was a big turnout for the derby
There was a big turnout for the derby

Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao and Bullets acting general secretary Kelvin Moyo said the gross should have been far much higher considering the entry fee hike.

“This is ridiculous to say the least. People are milking the clubs and something is terribly wrong in the way we manage the gates.

“Imagine the first round derby which we hosted, grossed K27 million (about $38 695) and yet the open stand ticket was selling at K1 000 and now with the ticket doubled and with a similar crowd, we get about K5 million less. This is big joke,” said Butao.

He blamed Sulom for failing to implement a system that could ensure that there are no flaws in gate management.

On his part Moyo said: “We are not satisfied with the gross revenue. Just imagine against Moyale Barracks, K10 million was made and yet the open stands ticket was selling at K1 000 and if it were K2 000 per ticket, the gross would have been around K20 million.

“So, can the crowd which watched the derby be compared to the one which turned up for the Moyale game? It just doesn’t add up and it is a confirmation that somewhere, we are not getting it right in as far as gate management is concerned.”

From the gross, clubs pocketed K4.68 million each while Sulom and the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) each got K1.87 million. n

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