Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and TNM say with effect from December 1, they will enforce 100 percent Mpamba electronic ticketing for all TNM Super League matches.
Announcing the development at a joint press conference in Lilongwe on Monday, Sulom marketing and commercialisation sub-committee chairperson Chimwemwe Nyirenda said after months of “a hybrid system” where both cash and mobile payments were being accepted, it was now time to switch to mobile payments.
“We introduced e-ticketing under a hybrid set-up to allow time for soccer fans to access the TNM Mpamba card which is a necessity for one to be able to buy the e-tickets. It is now time to entrench cashless innovation amongst football fans,” he said.
Nyirenda noted that as the league undergoes reforms, adoption of electronic payment was a big step towards transforming the game.
He said: “As the world embraces the era of digitalisation, e-ticketing will be a catalyst in Malawi as we work on reforming, reviving and rebranding our football.
“E-ticketing enables instant transfers to teams as opposed to the current system of bank deposits. It also enables the teams to track their revenue through the e-ticketing portal.”
Nyirenda encouraged soccer fans who are yet to get the TNM Mpamba card to get theirs immediately in the countdown to the November cut-off point.
TNM Mpamba general manager Christopher Sukasuka said the e-ticketing innovation brings sanity and helps teams collect revenue conveniently.
“E-ticketing offers convenience for all football stakeholders in the management of cash. Football fans have an opportunity to purchase their tickets anytime while on the other hand, league managers have total control of the match revenues,” he said.
Sukasuka said the league sponsor was geared for the switch across all TNM Super League matches through deployment of adequate resources.
Reacting to the development, Silver Strikers chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba said: “As Silver Strikers, we are excited for this progressive initiative. Our only plea to the authorities is that between now and when these games will be played, there should be aggressive sensitisation campaign so that this new development reaches all places.”
Creck Sporting Club board chairperson Muhammad Selemani described the development as a milestone.
He said: “It is a good initiative if they will manage the payment syestem properly.
“This is syestem is capable of empowering the clubs if properly managed. Cash payments have resulted to loss of large amounts of money through counterfeit tickets which are sold to unsuspecting fans.”
Selemani said he hopes all the clubs will embrace the initiative.
To get TNM Mpamba cards customers are required to use TNM Smart APP, under Services, select Khadi Mbambande or dial *444#, select 5, then follow menu prompts. After application, customers get their physical cards at a TNM shop of their choice. Alternatively, customers can access instant cards at all TNM shops, TNM Super League match venues or selected agents and dealers.
