Sulom, clubs tusssle on gate management

Southern Region-based Malawi Super League clubs have said there is need for further consultations before the outsourcing gate management resolution can be effected.

This follows a stakeholders meeting that was convened by the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon aimed at agreeing on outsourcing mechanisms.

However, the clubs said they were worried that the leadership of both Sulom and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) were not represented at the big meet.

Big Bullets supporters committee secretary Frank ‘Nyau’ Msiska and Mighty Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed before the system can be implemented.

“It is not that we are resisting the outsourcing system. In fact, we are ready to embrace it.

“But there are other logistical issues that need to be addressed. For instance, if the system was to be implemented, then clubs stand to lose out on revenue since government still deploys its cashiers at Kamuzu Stadium which is the main venue. What it means is that should outsourcing be implemented then we will be paying more,” said Msiska.

Government approval

Kanyenda also shared Msiska’s views: “Unless government issues an official directive approving the system at all its facilities, it will be problematic because we will have to pay government as well as the private institution for the same service.

“Unfortunately, there has not been a representation from government at such gatherings.”

Commenting on the absence of Sulom and FAM leadership at the meeting, Kanyenda said: “Considering the gravity of the matter at hand, it was shocking to note that there was a conspicuous absence of the general secretaries of Sulom [Williams Banda] and FAM [Suzgo Nyirenda].

“At least, Sulom sent their executive members [Gift Mkandawire and Willy Phalula], but to the best of my knowledge, there was none from FAM, which was unfortunate considering that the GSs were in the forefront of the issue at hand.”

The Nomads spokesperson also said it is surprising that both Sulom and FAM are pursuing the issue of outsourcing while giving a cold shoulder to the proposal that was made at a recent stakeholders meeting to the effect that the two bodies should seriously consider reducing their percentage share from gate collections so that clubs should benefit more.

Fresh outsourcing

Banda said the meeting had mixed resolutions due to conflict of interest among stakeholders.

“However, to quote one Peter Druker, management is doing things right while leadership is doing the right things. So, if the consensus is to outsource and help our teams, I believe that one day it will work, but if the consensus is to benefit ourselves at the expense of the teams and, in particular players, then one day we shall regret.

“I recall that Nelson Mandela once said ‘resentment is like drinking poison and expecting it to kill your enemy’, therefore I agree to their [clubs] recommendation to call for fresh outsourcing adverts and consider them at a joint set committee.

“Let me also state that casualties do come from either side and people can be arrested and people can be arrested if fraud is persistent at Kamuzu Stadium and we will design a strategy to achieve our goals,” said Banda.

He thanked all stakeholders that attended the meeting, saying by doing so they displayed commitment towards the cause.

And just like the clubs, Banda also appealed to government on whether to outsource or not.

“They [government] have a role to contribute towards revenue mobilisation,” he said.

However, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Alex Mseka said the ministry already approved outsourcing and what remains is implementation.