Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Petros Kausiyo
6 July 2009
Harare — HARARE giants Dynamos are not only leading the Premiership log standings, but they have remained the top-flight's biggest cash cow in terms of the contribution they have made into the league's coffers for the first half of the 2009 season.
After a slow start to the season, Dynamos struck a purple patch in late April following the arrival of Elvis "Chuchu" Chiweshe as coach and they are unbeaten since the former midfielder took over the reins from David Mandigora.
That fine run also brought an upsurge in the crowd attendance figures at DeMbare matches with the Harare giants contributing US$17 952 into the PSL coffers after such statutory payments like those to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the Sport and Recreation Commission and municipalities would have been taken care of.
The league's treasurer Oliver Manyau released the match income statistics at the weekend when the top-flight body held their mid-season extraordinary meeting in the capital.
Manyau revealed that US$61 541 had been realised from the matches in the opening half of the season in which clubs charged US$2 for the cheapest ticket into a game.
Dynamos' bitter city rivals CAPS United, who for long periods in that first half under review maintained an unbeaten run, were the second biggest contributors with US$11 219.
CAPS United's resurgence meant they pushed Highlanders out of the top two where the Bulawayo giants had been a regular feature in the last few seasons.
Bosso, who have struggled for consistency and argue that they are rebuilding their squad, came out a distant third with US$5 810.
Highlanders appear to have paid the price of their inconsistent run with some of their supporters choosing to stay away from the team's home matches where they have had a reputation of turning Barbourfields into a fortress.
It has been the DeMbare fans, however who have set the pace by turning Rufaro into a sea of blue and white whenever Dynamos are playing, their noise even grabbing the attention of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club manager Bobby Motaung who praised the "vibe they give to the local game" after watching their match against Monomotapa which ended 1-1.
In fact, the rivalry between the Dynamos and CAPS United supporters has also captured the imagination of the league with either side's fans opting to throw their weight behind any team that would be playing against their enemies.
Any team that has come to Rufaro to play Dynamos has benefited from the backing of the CAPS United fans and likewise any side facing CAPS United has won the support of the DeMbare supporters, who mostly sit in the Vietnam stand.
Bosso's new city rivals Bantu Rovers, with US$3 040, were the best contributors from the trio of newboys that also included Eagles (US$769), who use Rudhaka as their home ground, and Mutare side Highway with US$1 049.
But it has not been so rosy at the turnstiles for Lengthens with the Happy People, who use Dzivaresekwa for most of their home games, recording a paltry US$16 in their contribution to the league's coffers.
Kiglon, whose decision to dump Chibuku also coincided with a positive change of fortunes in their results, could also be enticed to maintain their move to abandon the Chitungwiza venue after recording the second least contribution of US$283.
Manyau, however, reckoned the clubs could have raked in more in net revenue had the service charges they pay to such institutions like Zimra, the Sports Commission and municipalities been reduced.
The PSL treasurer was also hopeful that the resolution by Saturday's extraordinary indaba to increase the gate entry fees to US$3 for the cheapest ticket and introduce a US$1 ticket for children in school uniform would help increase the clubs' revenue base.
"Net return to clubs has been 22 percent because of the US$2 tickets, but with the increase to US$3 clubs should at least get 33 percent on net return.
"We are also perfecting the ticketing system which has so far worked well for the 2009 season and we are looking at eventually having our own machines instead of the current set-up where we have had to hire," Manyau said.
Manyau said although his management committee sympathised with the clubs on their plight, they were not in a position to enforce a reduction in the huge amounts that have been paid for service charges, including those for the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
The ZRP have announced that they would with effect from the second half of the season increase to US$3 per hour the amount to be paid to an officer on duty at matches.
The increase is in line with a move by the police to hike their charges for the services they perform at public functions.
"The service charges paid by clubs are still high,
but they are statutory and there is very little we can do about it.
"But we would like to pay tribute to and salute the club owners and executives for continuing to make sacrifices and bankroll their teams despite the difficult times that our football is operating in," Manyau said.
Manyau also revealed the PSL's concerns with the state of security and playing fields at Sakubva and Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge which he said would have to undergo further checks by the league's grounds and finance committees to determine their suitability to host matches in the second half of the season.
PSL chairman Tapiwa Matangaidze, in his remarks to the same indaba, also said the league was hopeful that the National Sports Stadium - a relatively cheaper facility - could finally reopen its doors to football in the second period of the season.
"Our efforts to engage stadium owners on reducing rental charges are still to bear fruit. The City of Harare is willing to lease out Rufaro to football. We are pursuing this option. We also hope that the relatively cheaper to hire National Sports Stadium will be available soon," Matangaidze said.
Meanwhile, Dynamos, fielding a number of fringe players, were held to a 1-1 draw by Southern Region Division One side Ziscosteel in a friendly at Torwood yesterday.
Direct matches income table
Proceeds from matches handed over to the Premier Soccer League after the club share (covers statutory payments made by the league on behalf of clubs and PSL's 10 percent):
Bantu Rovers US$3 040
Black Rhinos US$2 315
CAPS United US$11 219
Dynamos US$17 952
Eagles US$769
Gunners US$1 283
Highlanders US$5 810
Highway US$ 1 049
Hwange US$2 795
Kiglon US$283
Lengthens US$16
Monomotapa US$1 522
Motor Action US$4 847
Njube Sundowns US$3 419
Shooting Stars US$4 142
Underhill US$1 080
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