Rumphi Stadium tops North gate earnings

Newly-constructed Rumphi Stadium earned the highest gate revenue in the Northern Region TNM Super League opening matches at the weekend.

The first ever TNM Super League match at the venue between hosts Rumphi United and visiting Dedza Dynamos grossed K1 620 000 while Karonga Stadium realised K1.1 million in a match between Karonga United and Kamuzu Barracks of Lilongwe.

The region’s biggest venue, Mzuzu Stadium, realised K250 000 from a match between the host Ekwendeni Hammers and TN Stars of Kasungu.

Out of the collections realised at Rumphi Stadium, the teams got K320 000 each. For Karonga Stadium, teams received K230 000 each while at Mzuzu Stadium teams got K34 000 each.

Rumphi United chairperson Chiza Mkandawire, who is also the stadium task force chairperson, said the turnout was impressive.

He said: “This is rainy season and people are busy in the fields. Bit still more, we had satisfactory turnout, surpassing all the three venues in the Northern Region. That shows that communities in Rumphi love football and they are behind their team.”

Northern Region Football Association general secretary Masiya Nyasulu said it is worrisome that Mzuzu realised lower gate earnings during the first week of the Super League games.

He said: “My appeal is to people in Mzuzu to support their teams by turning in their large number at the stadium because it is through the gate collections that teams can stand financially.”

Ekwendeni Hammers won the opening game 2-0 against TN Stars while Rumphi United lost 2-0.

Karonga United also lost 3-1 to Kamuzu Barracks.