Sulom rebuffs Bullets on gate fee hike

Sulom has said Big Bullets are not addressing the real problem by announcing a 150 percent increase [from K200 to K500] for their Super League games.

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) general secretary Williams Banda was reacting to Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire’s announcement yesterday that due to financial constraints, the club’s executive committee has increased entry fee for open stands.

Banda said the mandate to determine gate charges lies with the league in consultation with stakeholders after considering factors such as security and appeal in terms of turn out.

“Bullets are not sorting out the root cause of low gate revenue by increasing the entry fee.

“They are aware that the problem is some of their supporters who are bent on making a quick buck at the expense of the team. Supporters need to realise their role by supporting their teams and not the other way round,” said Banda.

He said while teams can consider giving their fans a little money as a token of appreciation, it should not be substantive.

“In some cases, we have had supporters from the so-called big guns pocketing more than what the players get, which is unfortunate.

“We advised Bullets to sit down with their supporters and educate them on their role. This also applies to other teams,” he said.

However, Banda said Sulom has approved Bullets’ request to raise gate charges for their game against Red Lions at Zomba Community Centre groundon Sunday.

“This is specifically for this game for security reasons considering the capacity of the ground and the appeal of both teams, but even then they also need to liaise with Red Lions and ground owners to agree on the logistics” he said.

But Mkandawire insisted that they would stick to the new charges.

In an interview earlier on, Mkandawire said they increased the entry fee due to financial constraints that led to the club owing players game bonuses and upkeep allowances.

One of Bullets ardent fans, Rhodrick Walesi, said K500 is on the higher side considering the current economic hardships. n

SA-based players to miss Cosafa

GARRY CHIRWA

Staff Reporter

FAM has said its effort to seek the release of South Africa-based players for the Cosafa Castle Cup tournament, which is slated to kickoff tomorrow in Zambia, has hit a snag.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said the assumption was that the South Africa-based players would be part of the squad since the SA football calendar is still off season.

But it has emerged that apart from striker Jimmy Zakazaka, who plays for FC Cape Town, the rest have returned to their respective clubs for pre-season assignments.

“Of course, we would have negotiated for their release, but it would be costly since we would have to pay for their return travel. So, our position is that we will do with the crop of local players,” said Nyamilandu.

However, the FAM president expressed optimism that the three players on trials in South Africa—Gabadinho Mhango, Lucky Malata and Gastin Simkonda—will join the squad in Lusaka for the tournament.

Zakazaka said he is willing to join the squad should he be considered by the coaching panel.

Apart from Zakazaka, the other South Africa-based players are Limbikani Mzava, Harry Nyirenda, Robert Ng’ambi, Peter Wadabwa, Tawonga Chimodzi, Esau Kanyenda, Robin Ngalande and Atusaye Nyondo.