Mixed reactions on FDH Bank Cup gross
FDH Bank Cup finalists FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mafco FC have given mixed reactions on the K30.674 million the final match grossed at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
From the sum, the two teams, ground owners, Ministry of Youth and Sports received about K4.8 million each while FAM got K3.85 million.
Bullets said they were contented with the figure while Mafco FC said the gross did not reflect the turnout.
Said Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga: “I would say, we are satisfied, considering the turnout.”
But Mafco FC chairperson Captain Cydreck Chisale held a different view.
In an interview yesterday, he said: “To be frank, we are not satisfied, but as usual these people take advantage of the teams because we have no means for checks and balances.
“The money is not a reflection of the turnout. It’s a mockery to the development of our football.
“As administrators, we struggle a lot to provide for the players. They have families to take care of.
“When you expect to have something that will make a difference after playing such games, there are always some people who put their interests first than those of the players who sweat and break their legs on the pitch. It’s sad.
“But again, whether we are satisfied or not, it is not going change anything.”
But Football Association of Malawi commercial and marketing director Limbani Matola said the revenue was satisfactory.
He said: “We are indeed quite happy with the amount of revenue generated. In fact, this is more than what we projected in light of the operating context.
“The organising team and all service providers put up a good job against several risk factors.”
Matola said chaotic scenes during the Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at the same venue, might have scared some sections of football fans.
He said: “[Sunday’s final] match was a one-sided fan base affair and the fuel scarcity aggravated the challenges as many fans had transportation problems to come to the stadium.
“This is why we would like to take a moment to salute all stakeholders for great collaboration and teamwork which has culminated to this success.”
Matola also thanked sponsors FDH Bank, the finalists, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, stadium management, Nitel, security personnel and the supporters for making the final a success.
The two semi-finals grossed K31 million with the Bullets versus Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar match grossing about K20.5 million and the team’s got K4.2 million each while that involving the Wanderers and Mafco FC raked in about K10.5 million with the two clubs getting at least K2 million each.
