The Sunday News
HIGHLANDERS FC’s hopes of getting increased income from gate takings through reduced stadium charges at Hartsfields Rugby Ground have been dashed as the club is paying charges similar to those they were paying at Barbourfields, it has been learnt.
Prior to the relocation of the matches to Hatsfields, Bosso were parting with a minimum of $2 000 or 20 percent of gross gate takings at Barbourfields.
After the club’s move to Hartsfield Rugby Ground to make way for renovations at Barbourfields Stadium chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede revealed they had secured a lucrative deal with the Matabeleland Rugby Union that would have seen them pay a flat fee of $1500 or 10 percent but it has since emerged the reprieve was announced prematurely.
Gumede now says the club was forking out similar rates like those when they were playing at Barbourfields.
Matabeleland Rugby Football Board official Nyararai Sibanda confirmed that Highlanders had written to them requesting a lower rate, but they (MRFB) could not accede to their pleas after considering the cost of maintaining the stadium.
He also said there was no budget for changes that were made when Premiership teams moved to the rugby stadium.
Sibanda said they received a “loan” from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to erect the perimeter fence and goal posts which they had to pay back.
“There were changes that were made to make the stadium suitable for football such as the perimeter fence and the goal posts which are not needed in rugby. We did not have the money to foot that bill and PSL advanced us money, which we have since paid back. The committee received Highlanders’ request but after deliberations and looking at the costs involved we saw it fit to retain the same rates to those that were applying at Barbourfields Stadium.
“Maybe in the future we might consider lowering the charges,” he said.
High service costs such as ground rentals, police and levies charged by the Sports and Recreation Commission, Zifa and PSL have seen clubs taking home less than half of their gross gate takings.
Gumede has been on a crusade to have the charges lowered but his efforts has hit a brick wall.
The veteran administrator said it was unfortunate they could not be granted reduced charges by MRB as they had been hoping to use that as a yard stick when engaging the Bulawayo City Council over Barbourfields Stadium rentals.
However, the club’s principal sponsor, BancABC is getting adequate publicity at Highlanders matches at Hartsfield as the team is able to erect banners without restrictions unlike at Barbourfields where Bosso was asked to pay for the touchline advertisements.
