FAM, Govt differ on gate revenue management

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said it will print its own entry tickets for the forthcoming Standard Bank and Presidential Cup matches at Kamuzu Stadium having been dissatisfied with revenue from recent matches.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda also announced during a press briefing at Chiwembe Technical Centre on Wednesday that they will outsource management of the gates starting with Saturday’s Standard Bank Cup final preliminary match between Big Bullets and Blantyre United.

But Ministry of Youth and Sports and Kamuzu Stadium authorities expressed ignorance on the matter in separate interviews.

Said Nyirenda: “The revenue from the recent games played at [Kamuzu] stadium does not reflect the actual turnout. Imagine, during the Super League game between Epac and Bullets at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, about K3 million (about $12 000) was raised. Yet in the recent match between Bullets and Tigers, which had more spectators, only K1.1 million (about $4 400) was realised.

“It is a big concern to us as an association. The situation is pathetic. It is clear that things are going wrong somewhere.”

He said it was for that reason that FAM has decided to print its own tickets and also to outsource gate management.

He said the system will also be used during next weekend’s Presidential Cup final between Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks.

However, director of sports Jameson Ndalama on Wednesday expressed ignorance on the matter.

“We are not aware of that arrangement, neither have FAM written to inform us on their intentions. There is no such agreement in as far as I am concerned. So, in the absence of such communication, I am afraid I cannot say anything,” said Ndalama.

He also wondered whether government was represented at the press briefing.

Kamuzu Stadium manager Charles Mhango also said he was not aware of the arrangement.

“I was not at the press briefing, but what I can say is that the issue of outsourcing gate management was indeed discussed a few months ago and it involved all stakeholders. However, it was agreed that it would be implemented upon the ministry’s approval, after coming up with mechanisms,” said Mhango.

For a long time, there have been concerns on the gate management system at the stadium and after the 2014 World Cup qualifier between the Flames and Nigeria, doubts lingered on the K12.3 million (about $49 000) that was raised.

Mhango then admitted in an interview with The Nation that the figure could only reflect tickets sold and not necessarily the actual patronage.