Chikhwawa United considers Nsanje switch

Eyeing Super League promotion, Chikhwawa United are considering switching to Nsanje Community Centre ground in line with the club’s commercialisation drive.

Nsanje has a bigger fan base and the ground could easily be upgraded to Super League standards, Chikhwawa chairperson Owen Chomanika said on Saturday at Nchalo Trading Centre.

“We are discussing with Nsanje District Council for them to consider fencing the ground. We are more appreciated there,” said Chomanika whose side plays in the Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League (SRFL).

He said playing on Nsanje could bode well for the club’s strategy to generate income from games; an endeavour which is impossible at their Chikhwawa Boma base where the ground is not fenced. The club would, however, maintain its Chikhwawa base.

“In few months, we will employ a full-time administrator. We are working on getting organised. We have set up a group of Friends of Chikhwawa United who are contributing a minimum of K1 000 per month to the team,” said  Chomanika whose side finished last campaign as runner-up and now top the Premier Division.

“We also want to revive our merchandising. At a small scale, we have done that; selling 1 500 items such as T-shirts. The 1 500 items represent effective demand. We do not need a big fan base; just a small manageable one,” he said.

Nsanje district commissioner Happy Mtambalika Phiri yesterday said there was need for football authorities such as FAM to first advise them on requirements for upgrading the venue.