Big guns lobby for 50% gross share

Traditional local football powerhouses Mighty Wanderers and Big Bullets have agreed to negotiate for a 50 percent gross cut from Saturday’s Super League derby proceeds instead of the normal 50 percent net.

However, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) have said it is unlikely that the request will be considered.

Nomads will host Bullets at Civo Stadium in the capital as they are still serving the 10-match Kamuzu Stadium ban due to acts of violence.

Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda on Tuesday said in principle, they had agreed with Bullets to lobby for a revision.

“We have agreed to engage Sulom and FAM to consider reviewing the stakes specifically for this game because I am sure they understand our plight as we do not have sponsors,” said Kanyenda.

He claimed that the move is justified because both teams will incur extra expenses such as transport, accommodation and food and the additional sum will subsidise those costs. “We know we stand to make a fortune because it remains the biggest clash on the domestic scene which attracts a huge turnout and it is taking place during month-end.

“But we want to take a diplomatic approach, otherwise they may create all sorts of excuses. So, we would rather engage them first,” said Kanyenda.

He also said they chose Civo Stadium for the derby because it is the only other suitable venue apart from Kamuzu Stadium.

Mkandawire said they were in agreement with Nomads’ cause.

“Both teams stand to benefit more if the request can be approved,” said Mkandawire.

However, reacting to the two clubs’ move, Sulom president Innocent Bottomani said: “Practically, that cannot happen because there are other costs to be met such as ground owners, security, gate-management and then there is our share and that of FAM.

“While we understand their plight, they cannot get 50 percent from the gross proceeds, it is not practical.”

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said: “That issue was already addressed during our recent AGM in Salima that the gate shares cannot be reviewed because there are a number of beneficiaries and there are costs related to that.”.

Civo United general secretary Rashid Ntelela said while the two teams have a genuine case, the approach should not be centred on the coming game.

“There should be a holistic approach because they are not the only ones that want to make more from gate revenue,” said Ntelela.

Teams share 25 percent each from the net collection, ground owners get 25 percent, Sulom and FAM get 10 percent each while Sports Council pockets five percent.

In a related development, Bullets vice-chairperson Austin Kasito has said as one way of tightening gate-management, they will not allow [Bullets] Blantyre-based fans to man the gates in Saturday’s game.

“This is our show, we also have structures here. There is no need for Blantyre-based supporters to travel all the way to Lilongwe to man the gates at the expense of the players. We want the players to benefit more,” said Kasito.