The sports sector is bracing for tough times due to rising costs of commodities, Times Sport has learnt.
This means sports associations and domestic clubs would dig deeper into their thin pockets to survive and implement projects this year.
For example, Super League clubs are likely to be stretched in their budgets in the forthcoming season as they will spend more resources on accommodation, food, allowances and transport due to the rising cost of living.
This comes at a time the majority of Super League teams do not have stable sponsorship.
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Currently, only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Ekhaya FC and Creck Sporting Club have huge financial backing.
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Malawi Defence Force (MDF)- sponsored teams Kamuzu Barracks, Mafco and Moyale Barracks also have stable sponsorship.
But teams such as Karonga United, Chitipa United, Songwe Border and Mighty Tigers have no sponsors.
Bullets Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chigoga said they were still assessing the situation.
“We, as a club, are checking with our service providers on their new rates before calculating the impact of these adjustments on our operational budget,” Chigoga said.
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Currently, each of the 16 Super League teams get annual subvention of K20 million.
Out of the K20 million, K10 million is from sponsors TNM plc, with the other half coming from Football Association of Malawi (Fam) as grants.
On his part, Wanderers CEO Panganeni Ndovi admitted that the football fraternity had not been spared from the economic hardships.
“It is really tough for the sports industry. The impact will, indeed, be felt. Our budget will likely be affected and that is why we are looking for more partners ahead of the season,” Ndovi said.
Karonga General Secretary Ramsey Simwaka shared similar sentiments.
“The situation is really tough for some of us. We will be forced to adjust our budgets,” Simwaka said.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama also said teams would struggle to survive under current economic circumstances.
“The teams should also raise charges on those that are advertising on their products. The teams should also control their expenditure,” he said.
Apart from clubs, associations such as Fam and Netball Association of Malawi will be affected as they will spend more on air tickets.
Meanwhile, Fam yesterday hiked gate charges for the African Nations Championship (Chan) first leg qualifier between Malawi and Comoros.
The match is slated for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
An advance standard ticket has been pegged at K6,000 and K8,000 on match day.
An advance VIP ticket is at K25,000 and K30,000 on match day. A corporate box ticket is fetching K35,000.
