Super League of Malawi (Sulom) will introduce an integrated electronic ticketing system for FDH Bank Premiership matches as part of efforts to curb gate revenue leakages and improve accountability in match-day collections.
The new platform will enable supporters to purchase tickets through multiple electronic payment channels, including banks, mobile money services and point-of-sale systems, replacing the TNM Mpamba e-ticketing platform that was discontinued after the end of Sulom’s partnership with TNM plc.
Sulom president Brigadier General Gilbert Mittawa in an interview during the week said the initiative builds on reforms introduced since 2023 that have helped transform the league into a more professionally managed competition.
advanced stage: | Nation
“I think the key issue is that since 2023 up to now, there are quite great interventions that we have put in place which have revived the league from basically a social enterprise to a more or less a quasi-professional level,” he said.
Mittawa said the league has become more organised, with predictable fixtures, improved competition among clubs and enhanced sponsorship following FDH Bank’s K1 billion annual investment.
However, he said gate revenue leakages remain one of the league’s biggest challenges.
Said Mittawa: “For instance, you may remember during the Blantyre derby between Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Bullets at Bingu Stadium, we realised only K90 million from a stadium that was almost filled to capacity.
“With the charges that we have, we expected not less than K200 million or K250 million from that game. So that was just an indication that there are still gate revenue leakages.”
Sulom subsequently engaged FDH Bank and technology partners to develop a ticketing system capable of integrating multiple payment platforms.
Said Mittawa: “At the moment, the system is at an advanced stage. They are doing the testing. Once they are done with the tests, then we’ll move to the next stage of consultation, stakeholder engagement, and then piloting,” said Mittawa.
“By integrated system, what it means is we are going to integrate different platforms. For instance, if someone wants to use Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba, swipe at the gate using an IPOS machine, or buy a ticket over the phone using a shortcode, or get a ticket at the ATM machine, they should be able to do that.”
Football analyst Twaha Chimuka commended Sulom for the initiative.
However, he said the success of the system will depend on stakeholders’ support.
He said: “A system might be perfect, but if people running it do not have the will to make it successful, it will fail. All stakeholders need to play their role.
