PstBet pockets FA Cup gate takings 

The fact that gate takings go to PstBet, the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Cup headline sponsor, does not take away from its investment in the domestic game, says NFA president Robert Shimooshili.

He says the N$6-million sponsorship agreement with PstBet is structured in such a way that neither the football association nor participating clubs get a share of the funds collected at the match venues.

The nature of the one-year deal does not obstruct the bigger picture, Shimooshili says.

“The issue of gate taking is irrelevant for now. The member clubs are the ones to benefit,” Shimooshili told Desert Radio on Monday.

He said the sponsorship primarily ensures another domestic football competition, providing a platform for players to showcase their talent.

“The benefit is not the association, but rather the member clubs which would benefit through this deal.

“All clubs have received a participating fee and playing gear at the round of 32. Prize money will go to the first to fourth-placed contenders,” Shimooshili said.

“The idea for us was to engage PstBet where all Namibians can benefit, because the NFA Cup has not been active for the past few years,” he said.

Football fans have taken to social media questioning why PstBet as the official NFA Cup sponsor still benefits from gate takings.

Shimooshili said PstBet was initially not keen on sponsoring the NFA Cup, because the company focused on backing the annual regional Governor’s Cup tournaments and the top-flight clubs on its sponsorship portfolio.

The NFA had to concede gate takings to secure the sponsorship, which also includes a women’s section, he said.

“It is a deal negotiated in good faith, and we need to appreciate that one,” he said.

Weighing in on the matter, former NFA secretary general Barry Rukoro said the agreement is not in keeping with regular practices.

“It is completely wrong for PstBet to collect gate money. You cannot have a situation where the sponsor collects the gate money. It is not normal and very detrimental financially to the association,” he said.

Rukoro said a sponsor’s end of the agreement should pertain to providing funds, branding and marketing their products around the matches and “not collecting money”.

He said the cash-strapped NFA should invest gate takings in the development of football.

“That is the only practice in the world. All they need to do is market their product and not collect any money. It shows how inexperienced both the NFA leadership and the sponsors are,” Rukoro said.