The average 34 percent fuel pump price hike has not spared some FDH Premiership clubs who see their budgets in the 2026/27 football season getting bloated.
During the current off-season, fuel pump price has gone up twice with the cost of petrol rising from K3 499 to K4 695 per litre in January and then to K6 672 per litre early this month.
On the other hand, diesel rose from K3 500 to K4 945 per litre in January before jumping to K6 687 per litre early this month.
In separate interviews yesterday, both sponsored and unsponsored community teams admitted that the situation has taken a toll on their budgets.
Chitipa United and Karonga United, who do not have sponsors, say their travel costs will almost double.
In an interview yesterday, Chitipa general secretary (GS) Watson Kabaghe said: “It is going to be a rough ride. Last season, we would spend K1.2 million on fuel to Lilongwe and now it will be between K1.8 million and K2 million and we have to travel there about six times for league assignments.
“Then we also have to play teams from other Central Region districts such as [Goshen City] Dedza Dynamos and Mafco FC [in Salima].”
He also said for every trip to Blantyre they spent about K1.8 million last season and according to their calculations, they will now be spending about K2.5 million.
“With the rise of fuel prices, costs of other expenses such as food and accommodation will also go up,” said Kabaghe.
On his part, Karonga United GS Ramsey Simwaka said last season, they used to spend K1.1 million per trip to Blantyre and they will now be spending K2.3 million.
“The whole budget for a trip to Blantyre used to be K8 million and now we will be coughing about K11 million,” he said.
In a separate interview, FCB Nyasa Bullets acting chief executive officer (CEO) Albert Chigoga said: “The fuel hike has an adverse impact on transportation. We pay our players and technical staff weekly transport allowances to attend training sessions.
“Obviously, these allowances need to be adjusted in line with increase in transport costs and then we also have to cater for the team’s trips to the North and Centre whose costs have also risen significantly.”
Super League of Malawi president Gilbert Mittawa told Zodiak Broadcasting Station that as one way of cushioning the clubs on the travel costs, they are reviewing match entry fees.
“The fuel price increase will affect the teams’ budgets significantly as the cost of match organisation will also go up as well as teams’ operational costs. So, we are reviewing the match entry fees in line with such costs and once we are through, we will issue a statement,” he said.
Chigoga and Masters FC CEO Kevin Moyo said in view of the fuel price adjustments, the increase of entry fee is inevitable.
“Those who want to watch elite football must prepare to pay a premium considering that the cost of running the clubs has unbearably become higher,” said Chigoga.
On his part, Moyo said: “Ordinarily, the clubs’ operational costs will rise due to the increase of fuel prices. It is, therefore, prudent that gate charges are also raised.”
On the prospects of the gate charges affecting patronage, he said: “Patronage is heavily dependent on team performance and economic factors as well.”
