Malawi government has swallowed its pride and decided that fans should pay to watch the Presidential Cup finals between Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks at Civo Stadium in the capital, Lilongwe on Saturday, September 1 2012.
According to a press statement signed by principal secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Justin Saidi, government has changed its heart following concerns from the public that allowing free entry during the final will have negative effects on capacity of the stadium, revenue and other related matters.
“Government has considered the concerns and has, therefore, decided to effect gate charges,†reads the statement in part.
The statement further says charges at the gate will be as follows: K5 000 ($20) VIP stand, K2 000 (about $8) covered stands and K300 (about $1.2) open stands.
Saidi concludes the statement by wishing all good finals for this most lucrative cup on the land.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) were among those that were against free entry to the finals of this cup, which were originally scheduled for August 25, but were shifted to September 1; and to Civo Stadium after Kamuzu Stadium was declared a security risk and closed indefinitely.
In another development, FAM has announced the revision of Standard Bank Cup matches.
According to the association’s chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, the development follows the rescheduling of Presidential Cup finals and the closure of the giant Kamuzu Stadium. The Standard Bank Knockout Cup final has now been shifted to October 6.
Nyirenda also announced that the quarter-final first legs, that were scheduled for this Saturday, have been shifted to September 15 while the second legs will be staged on September 22.
“The semi-finals will take place on September 29,†said Nyirenda.
