TNM first round raises K36 million

The first round of the 2012/2013 TNM Super League has raised K36 million (about $120 000) through gate collections, Weekend Nation has established.

Both Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and the clubs have confirmed that this is K15 million (about $60 000) more than what was raised in last season’s first round.

Out of the K36 million (about $144 000), clubs have shared K16 million ($54 000), with Big Bullets pocketing K4.1 million (about $14 000), Mighty Wanderers K3.8 million (about $15 200) whereas defending champions Silver Strikers got K1.7 million (about $6 800).

According to Sulom records, the Blantyre derby between Bullets and Wanderers early last month, raked in the highest revenue, K4.3 million (about $17 200), followed by the Lilongwe game between Big Bullets and Epac which raised K3 million.

In contrast of the fortunes, the game between Blantyre United and Kabwafu at Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo registered the least, K16 000 ($64).

Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda attributed the increment in gate collections, among other things, to increased patronage and improved gate collection system.

“The other reason is that gate charges for open stands during games involving big teams were this season hiked to K200 (about $0.08) from K100 (about $0.04) last season. If the trend continues, we might end up tripling last season’s collections,” said Somba-Banda.

He, however, said there are many things Sulom needs to work on if it is to maximise on revenue.

“We need independent people to man the gates as the system is in Lilongwe, because games played in Lilongwe have raked in more money than anywhere else.

“If we had outsourced in the system, the game between Bullets and Wanderers could have raised a lot more than K4 million,” he said.

Big Bullets treasurer Geoffrey Tamutamu and his counterparts at Wanderers and Silver Strikers, David Msadala and Chimwemwe Nkhwimba respectively, acknowledged improvement in gate revenue this season.

“The whole of last season we made K11 million (about $44 000) in all competitions. But this time, we have made over K4 million (about $16 000) already. By end of the season we might make over K10 million (about $40 000) from games shares only,” said Tamutamu.

He, however, said the formula for distributing the collections should change in favour of the clubs by, among other things, removing duplication of work that is there among stewards, the police and club network people.

“All the three groups receive something from the collections and I do not understand the logic behind it. As a club, we also have reservations with clubs paying the cashiers whom I think should be paid from the share of the ground owners because they are not the responsibility of the clubs,” said Tamutamu.

He also cited some internal problems such as some supporters also wanting to get something from the collections for various reasons.

Msadala attributed the increased patronage to the return of the corporate world to support football.

“The coming in of Carlsberg to sponsor Bullets and Wanderers has added competition in the league and motivated both players and supporters. This competition on the pitch is what is attracting patronage,” he said.

While acknowledging that the taking over of Bullets and Wanderers by Carlsberg Malawi has added excitement and increased patronage, Somba Banda attributed the increase of patronage and revenue to peaceful atmosphere at the match venues.

“We have seen more families [husbands, wives and children] coming to watch games because match venues are now safer than in the past,” said Somba-Banda.

Silver Strikers commended Sulom for improved efficiency in gate collections.

“Last season, we made K400 000 in gate revenue, but this year we have already made over K1.7 million. It is a tremendous improvement. It is a sign that there is will on the part of Sulom to see clubs get more from the gate collection,” said Nkhwimba.