A fund raising match involving Blantyre giants Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers realised a meagre K4.5 million in gate revenue-failing to reach even half of the targeted K20 million at Kasungu Stadium on Sunday.
Although the facility was not filled to the capacity, fans came in good numbers to watch the Blantyre derby for the first time at the venue in the history of domestic football. The gross revenue has left Central Region Football Association (CRFA) in huge debts.
CRFA Vice General Secretary, Antonio Manda said he was puzzled with the gross revenue.
“It is a big loss for us and this is not what we expected. We still owe the two clubs money so we are in a tight corner now. We are supposed to pay Bullets and Wanderers each K2 million according to our agreement because we just paid half of their accommodation before the match,” Manda said.
“A proper decision will be made by the committee on the way forward. But we thank the teams for accepting to play for the good cause.”
According to Manda, CRFA spent K11 million in organising the match but the body was targeting K20 million from the match.
M&C was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the gates at the venue.
The proceeds of the match were expected to go towards supporting the bereaved families of Make Sure Pirates players Blessings Mhango and Douglas Mkolongo and official Chimwemwe Mkwinja who died in a car accident which happened in November.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer, Albert Chigoga said it was sad that CRFA did not meet their target.
“The gesture was very good and as clubs we supported it but it very unfortunate that they did not realise the targeted money. We will wait from them after they meet and discuss the issue,” Chigoga said.
In 2018, the TNM Super League match between Bullets and TN Stars grossed K15 million in gate revenue at the same venue.
