Premier League gate takings drop to P4m
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 15, 2014 12:14
The 2013/2014 season’s figures do not include 27 matches as statistics were not available. Nearly a quarter of the figure P958, 899 went towards stadium fees.
The highest grossing match was the epic clash between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Township Rollers on February 2 at the National Stadium.
The teams made a whooping P255, 120 while the game, which produced the least from the gates was between Police XI and BMC in Molepolole where only P240 was grossed.
Township Rollers and Extension Gunners emerged as the leading Premier League cash cows, with their opening day encounter on September 13 grossing P189, 600.
The two teams enjoyed decent attendances throughout the season while other giants, Chiefs and GU had fluctuating fortunes. The clubs with the worst attendances were BMC and Police XI.
The Botswana Premier League banked P196, 843.94, which represents five percent of the gate takings. Stadium fees gobbled most of the money from the turnstiles. Playing midweek hurt clubs as figures indicate with week 11 of action grossing only P84, 000 from the seven matches played during the week.
The figures will throw a challenge to clubs to vigorously market their games.
“We are an institutional team and traditionally, fans have been reluctant to support such sides, instead preferring community teams.
We want to mobilise employees within the force first before looking externally. Even if we do well, you discover that attendance is still low,” Police XI public relations officer, Jackson Chabota said.
TOP THREE BEST ATTENDED MATCHES
Feb 2, 2014 Mochudi Centre Chiefs vs Township Rollers National Stadium P255,120
Sept 13, 2013 Township Rollers vs Extension Gunners National Stadium P189,600
April 5, 2014 Mochusin Centre Chiefs vs Extension Gunners P144,060
THREE WORST ATTENDED MATCHES
Dec 19, 2013 BMC vs Wonder Sporting Molepolole P240
Feb 1, 2014 Wonder Sporting vs Miscellaneous P300
Nov 24, 2013 Wonder Sporting vs BMC P336
BEST THREE WEEKS
Week 20 statistics include eight matches P322,588
Week 1 statistics include seven games P301,289
Week 24 statistics include 10 matches P204,375