Disagreements have erupted between the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) and clubs in the Simama and Sons (SIMSO) Premier League Division over gate revenue during matches.
NRFA announced recently that home teams would be sharing the revenue spoils with the visiting team, a decision which has met strong resistance from the teams.
The directive, according to NRFA authorities, applies to only those football grounds that are well-fenced.
Traveling clubs in the league have been registering concerns that some home teams are refusing to share the gate collections.
In response, the regional association has instructed teams to share gate collections and encouraged teams to fence their home grounds to source revenue.
NRFA chairperson, Felix Mbonekera Msiska, has since warned that the association will take action against teams that do not comply with the directive should they receive more complaints on the matter.
“Clubs must follow the set the policies. The rules are very clear. All teams must benefit from games organised by the association. Those refusing to share gate revenue will have to give back what they failed to share with their opponents. Rules must be followed at all times,” Msiska warned.
Times has since observed that there is lack of awareness among teams on the association’s statues on revenue and that there are no stipulated penalties for those that flout them.
However, NRFA’s directive has not pleased teams with fenced grounds as they all insist that it is their only source of revenue since they do not have sponsorship
Mchengautuba United Chairperson, David Katete, has challenged NRFA, saying his team will not comply with the order.
He said NRFA should conceratrate on encouraging other clubs to have their grounds fenced and not forcing clubs to share the revenue.
“We have played in four fenced grounds but got nothing from there. So we decided to keep the revenue we make from our home ground to ourselves for the sustainability of our club. Teams coming to our ground should only fight for 3 points and not for a share of our money.
‘This is a good commercialisation drive where the home team takes everything. Our friends in the Central Region have advocated for the same approach and it is working,” Katete said.
Bolero United General Secretary, Kennedy Kanyenda, has echoed Katete’s sentiments, saying no team should expect a share of revenue when playing at their home ground.
“This is our own initiative. We have control over our own affairs. The reason behind fencing our match venues is to raise funds for the club since we are not sponsored. We are affiliated to NRFA, yes, but they should not impose their decisions on us.
‘Unless all teams have fenced match venues, we will not share the money. If not, then why should we share and on what basis? We are struggling ourselves and we need all the money we can get,” Kanyenda said.
Baka FC Team Manager, Alick Zungu, has concurred with the two officials and asked NRFA to civic educate teams on the rules in time to avoid confusion.
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