- Bullets lead first-round gate revenue
TNM Super League first-round games grossed K191 359 606 million in gate revenue, Weekend Nation has established.
The figure was a gross of the 105 games played. At the same stage last season K85 652 million was collected.
This season’s first-round gross represents a growth of 123 percent.
Teams shared K71 845 167 (38 percent), Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) K14 291 869 each (seven percent), Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) got K6 724 808 (four percent), ground levy was K35 890 061 (19 percent).
Others such as police, cashiers, stewards and St. John’s ambulance got a total of K48 322 908 (25 percent).
Out of the 15 teams, Bullets got the highest revenue (K17 171 312) whereas Airborne Rangers were the least earners at K1 701 913.
Be Forward Wanderers were second (K15 150 948), Silver Strikers (K6 877 420), Civo United (K3 759 005), Fisd Wizards (K3 665 700), Epac (K3 548 087), Kamuzu Barracks (K2 209 320), Moyale Barracks (K2 761 621), Azam Tigers (K2 646 942), Blue Eagles (K2 507 749), Red Lions (K2 403 299), Dedza Young Soccer Stars (K2 312 033), Mzuni (K2 229 695), Mafco (K1 900 112).
The highest revenue was realised in the Blantyre derby featuring Wanderers and Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium, which grossed K26 817 705 followed by Silver Strikers versus Bullets game, which grossed K12 007 940 at Civo Stadium and the third was between Wanderers and Silver, which grossed K7 319 020 at Kamuzu Stadium.
Among the games that made the lowest revenues were Airborne versus Red Lions at Chitowe Stadium, which fetched K102 350, Airborne against Civo at Chitowe realised K80 300 and Airborne versus Kamuzu Barracks at the same venue made K73 930.
Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda said the increment in the gate takings is as a result of the bold reforms they put in place.
“The major reforms included Sulom taking charge of the production of entry tickets, which has considerably reduced fraud. Tight security and controls also reduced the gate revenue leakages caused by porous entry points,” said Somba-Banda.
He, however, admitted that they still have more work to do if they are to maximise gate collection.
“We still have challenges with gate pilferage due to the human factor on the gate, of which, overtime we will see change as well,” he said.
Bullets second vice-chairperson Austin Kasito said it is encouraging that they have won back the confidence of their supporters.
“We are doing very well on the field as a team and that is a big attraction. Even our supporters who were passive are now coming into open to show their support, hence the attraction. But it can get better,” said Kasito. n
