Gate revenue sharing changes take effect
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Innocent Bottomani has said they will effect the new gate collections’ sharing system this weekend, whereby clubs’ shares will be deposited in their bank accounts.
“We have thoroughly consulted all the Super League teams on the development but it seems some of them are hesitating. Nevertheless, we are moving on with the procedure because it is the only way we can enhance accountability of gate revenue and ensure that money does not grow wings at matches,” he said.
“We know the resistance comes because normally, it is a gradual process for people to accept change. Moreover, as time goes by, they will understand that this is for their own good. We have made our stand and we are not turning back.”
In spite of that, he asked clubs to exercise patience as the process takes effect.
Sulom declared that once the league’s second-round kicks off, gate collection sharing among teams will not be done at match venues as the money will be deposited into Super League of Malawi’s (Sulom) bank account.
Sulom argued that the sharing of gate collections at match venues gave room for some unscrupulous club officials handling cash for their teams to abuse the money and, as a result, impoverishing their clubs.
This was agreed during a club licensing seminar at the Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre last month.
According to Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda, only those that are not involved in club licensing, namely the police, stewards, first-aid officials and ground owners will be given their shares on the spot.
But most of the clubs such as Azam Tigers, Big Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Civo United general secretary Rashid Ntelera said they have embraced the idea.
“We find no reason why we should resist the development. This is the way to go if we are to improve the financial status of our teams. Let it roll into effect,” said Tigers’ chairperson Sydney Chikoti.
Mighty Be Forward Wanderers general secretary Mike Butao said they are happy with the development.
“It is time to bring a business approach to the game of football and it needed the foodtball governing bodies to set the pace. We can no longer be operating like maize mills,” he said
Bullets vice-general secretary Kelvin Moyo said: “Everything should happen as per the agreement during the seminar where all the clubs were available.”
