Lilongwe-based TNM Super League giants Silver Strikers have followed the footsteps of Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers by abolishing the controversial supporters’ gate revenue share.
The Central Bankers supporters used to get 10 percent of the gate collections from every match. However, the team’s board of directors and executive committee on Tuesday resolved to freeze the payment.
Silver chairperson Peter Chando confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
“The 10 percent gate collections share has been scrapped off effective next season,” he said.
Silver supporters committee chairperson King ‘No fear’ Malaya welcomed the development, saying the 10 percent share from gate revenue was a source of conflict among supporters.
“We totally agree with Silver board and executive’s decision. This thing of getting a share from gate revenue was bringing in confusion among supporters.
“Our responsibility is to support out team. We will stick to that. I call upon all Silver supporters to accept the decision because it is for the good of the club,” he said.
The issue of supporters getting a cut from gate revenue has been a subject of debate for long.
While clubs are striving to survive in these economic hard times, supporters, instead of helping their club demand a cut from gate revenue share thereby aggravating the team’s financial problems.
Bullets were the first to abolish the practice soon after they went commercial under Nyasa Manufacturing Company.
Wanderers followed, but they still face challenges from some supporters.
The Nomads chairperson Gift Mkandawire said they insist on not paying the supporters though it is a challenge.
“Mostly it’s those that paint themselves and cheer the teams with their drums. They demand to be paid after the game. But we have told them that it is not our responsibility. If you come to the stadium to support the team don’t expect to be paid,” he said.
Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said the genesis of supporters getting paid comes from the set up of most of the clubs whereby the executive is elected by the supporters.
“You can see that since Silver abolished election of executive committee by supporters, it has been easy to stop paying supporters. The same with Bullets who stopped this after becoming a company.
“Wanderers still has elected executive committee and that is why they have problems controlling supporters who want to be paid after supporting the team,” he said.
