RBM nods to e-ticketing project
Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor Charles Chuka has reportedly given the nod to Silver Strikers’ ambitious e-ticketing project which is expected to start by June at the Silver Stadium.
Silver chairperson McDonald Mafuta Mwale, who also works for the central bank, confirmed on Sunday the project’s approval.
“There is progress on the project. The governor has told the RBM administration department to go ahead with the project. They have been asked to start soliciting potential bidders. This should happen soon before June. It will not be the club but RBM carrying out the project,” Mwale said.
The project seeks to install electronic gadgets on all entrances to the stadium to make it accessible only with electronic tickets. The cards are swiped for one to gain entry.
Silver came up with the idea after their sponsor’s (RBM) audit unearthed fraud as a result of the current gate management system that involves many stakeholders.
A few months ago, RBM spokesperson Ralph Tseka described the project as being at ‘idea’ stage while Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda welcomed it as a lasting solution to gate fraud.
“Therefore, it was decided that in order to improve on revenue, entry tickets to the stadium will be pre-purchased; they will be pre-sold at designated places. The holder of the ticket will just have to swipe the ticket and then the gate will open,” Tseka told The Nation on January 10 2013.
The application of electronic ticketing requires the installation of ‘turnstiles’ and supporting devices for detection of ticket validity, reported Tanzania’s Guardian newspaper recently.
Also, electronic ticketing involves computer software usually sourced from abroad. To operate, it requires a mobile phone chip, like a smartcard recharged and debited in match ticket purchase.
Across the borders, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) also embarked on e-ticketing project in the venues that host Vodacom Premier League and national team games.
Early in 2012, Tanzania’s CRDB Bank won a tender to provide the ticketing mechanism, but rolling out has been a challenge. TFF information officer Boniface Wambura told the paper that it was difficult for him to confirm whether the project would take off as per original plans.
In Kenya, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) CEO Lordvick Omondi Aduda recently urged club officials to use e-ticketing system, particularly during big matches, to curb the sale of fake tickets which denies clubs revenue.
