Africa-Press – Eswatini. There is a sharp increase in the deficit suffered by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).
The loss increased from E109 500 to E971 256, which is more than eight times compared to the previous year. This is as per a financial report for the year ended June 30, 2023, which was presented to the membership during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held at Sigwaca House in Mbabane yesterday. Again the media was inexplicably not allowed to be part of the proceedings. According to the report, the PLE had recorded an increase in income, which shot up to over E12 million from around E8.6 million the previous year. Sponsorships of over E8.7 million accounted for the lion’s share of the income.
misbehaving
Notably, misbehaving teams and individuals also boosted the elite football office’s income, as revenue from fines and protests was recorded at an increased E470 374 from E329 910 the previous year. Big teams like Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows were among teams caught on the wrong side of the law and had to pay fines. Expenses equally shot up and were calculated at an increased E12.9 million. As a result, there was a deficit of E971 256. Notable expenses included the over E7.4 million for prizes as well as an over E1 million payout to Media Mora for the Eswatini football programme that was aired on pay-per-view channel SuperSport.
Notably, referees also took a notable chunk of PLE’s income. The expenses for match officials were calculated at over E892 000 during the period under review. Yesterday’s meeting marked the official conclusion of the 2022/23 season, which ended with the crowning of Green Mamba as league champions. A draft calendar of the Premier League suggested it would be an action-packed 2023/24 campaign, with the Ingwenyama Cup expected to kick-off with the regional tournament next month. The league is tentatively set to get underway next weekend.
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