First Division call for gate fees hike
Shingirai Madondo | Thursday January 22, 2015 17:00
Entry charges are pegged at P10, but clubs suggest the figure should be revised to P20.
In some instances, fans watch lower division games for free.
The clubs feel a hike in charges would help boost their coffers. All the clubs feel that the lower league deserves a better entry charge of P20 per spectator bearing in mind that it is a national league.
“We are appealing for the upward review of the gate takings. Our suggestion is that we can be allowed to charge P20 per fan,” proposed Miscellaneous spokesperson, Musa Morapedi.
Morapedi made the proposal during the First Division North League meeting in Francistown last weekend. He said the review could improve the status of many clubs in the lower division.
“(First Division) sponsorship is very little and we rely on gate takings. But P10 is too little to keep our clubs afloat and financially sound,” said Morapedi, adding that the Debswana Division North League committee should introduce a ticketing system.
Tsabotlhe FC chairperson, Mmoloki Teseletso concurred with Morapedi. Teseletso said most clubs are in financial doldrums despite the fact that they can generate a substantial amount of money from gate takings.
“Review of gate takings would spur most of our clubs to improve the standard of the game. As it stands, clubs are struggling to acquire the services of quality players because they have no money,” argued Teseletso.
Responding to the proposal, First Division North League committee chairperson Eatlametse Olopeng admitted that time has come for the standardisation of entry fees for lower division matches.
However, he was quick to point out that the development might scare away fans. Olopeng advised clubs to put their house in order and start offering best football such that the charges are justifiable.
“The development might be a good or bad idea. The possibility of losing fans is high. So we should start providing a quality product,” he said.