Karonga Stadium grosses K37m since opening
Karonga Stadium has grossed K37 million from gate revenue since it started hosting competitive matches in October 2017, stadium owners have announced.
The facility’s owners Karonga District Council have taken home K7.5 million, which is 25 percent of the gross, as of June 30 this year.
The other funds went to Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and Malawi National Council of Sports and clubs that used the venue.
Karonga District Council spokesperson Isaac Mkandawire said the highest revenue collected at the facility was K8 743 660 in a TNM Super League match involving hosts Karonga United and Nyasa Big Bullets.
The lowest was collected during a game involving local teams Baka City and Maghemo which grossed K28 000.
“The facility has slightly improved the council’s revenue collection. We are talking of slight improvement because currently, the stadium’s potential is not maximised. We are assured of only one Super League game a fortnight.
“Super League games are the ones that pull better crowds than local teams games. If we had two top-flight league teams using the stadium as their home ground, then we could be talking of a game every week and more revenue,” he said.
Karonga United general secretary Ralph Kasililika advised the council to utilise the money earned in finalising some outstanding construction works remaining at the site.
“Despite that the pitch is in playable state, there are some areas that need to be worked on. We were told that the facility will have a drainage system, but to date there is nothing of that nature,” he said.
The stadium development committee publicity secretary Wakisa Mwembetania said they are aware of some construction works that need to be finalized at the site.
“Of course, there are some areas to be worked on at the site. We are engaging the council so that everything should be in place as designed,” he said.
Karonga Stadium has eased Karonga United and Chitipa United’s travel expenses.
Before the stadium was constructed, the two sides were using Mzuzu Stadium.
