LILONGWE Bonanza flopped
Organisers of the Lilongwe University of Law Football Bonanza staged in Lilongwe at the weekend have said the two-day event was a flop.
The institution’s principal, WadsonMuluka, said gate collections, reported to have been in excess of K4 million, were less than a quarter of the budgeted amount.
Maluka said they spent over K9.5 million (US$23 342) to organise the event that attracted the country’s four football powerhouses Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers, Silver Strikers and Epac.
“Expenses such as security and ground levy ate up the collections, but as directors, we will honour the pledge [towards Kamuzu Central and Likuni hospitals],” said Muluka.
He blamed the mishap on low patronage and some police officers’ act to facilitate some fans’ entry into the stadium through ungazetted areas.
“The illegal entry was actually facilitated by some police officers that we caught,” he said, adding that they reported the police officers to authorities.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) played it safe for the sake of the clubs and, according to competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka, the prize money amounting to K2.5 million (US$6 142.5) was given to FAM prior to the tournament.
Another organiser, Aggrey Chiumia, said: “The challenges were on logistics. The turn-up was low. Some administrative aspects and security were not up to standard.”
He added that teams also demanded higher fees.
But despite the setback, Chiumia said they will not be discouraged in the quest to achieve their goals.
“It has always been a tradition that we reach out to communities and we will have to find other means. Another bonanza is coming up in June,” he said.
Police publicist for Lilongwe Ramsey Mushani said there was no complaint from the organisers regarding the conduct of police officers assigned to the bonanza.
“Normally, what happens at football matches is that we share responsibilities and we are there to supervise on security.
“So, I would say if things did not go well, then it must have been the organisers’ problem,” said Mushani.
Bullets general secretary Harold Fote said while there might have been other challenges, the event did not meet the targets mainly due to poor patronage.
“Prior to the tournament, we were demanding K1 million, but considering the cause of the bonanza, we softened up and agreed to get K260 000 they had set as appearance fee. So, I do not think it is right to blame the teams for demanding high appearance fees,” said Fote.
Silver Strikers won the bonanza after beating Epac 5-2 in the final to cart home K1 million. Epac received K750 000 (US$1 842.8).
In the third-place match, Big Bullets got it over and done at interval when they led 3-0 against their age-old rivals Mighty Wanderers who scored a consolation goal late into the game.
MussaManyenje, Jimmy Zakazaka and James Chilapondwa were on target for the People’s Team whereas Mike Kaziputa scored the lone goal for Nomads. Bullets will get K500 000 (US$1 229) while the Nomads will get K250 000 (US$614).
