AS 8BET TRADE FAIR CUP ATTENDANCE FIGURES INCREASE: PLE RAKES IN OVER E0.6M IN FIVE DAYS!

MBABANE -The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) reportedly collected over E600 000 from the gate takings since the start of the 8Bet Trade Fair.

Betting company 8Bet committed a total of E7.5 million towards the Trade Fair Cup, over the next three years,  with this year’s edition has been sponsored to the tune of E2 million. The tournament, which last occurred in 2013, prior to its revival last year, returned under the sponsorship of 8Bet. This afternoon, the tournament’s journey continues with the semi-finals, with Rangers facing Young Buffaloes at 2pm, before a potential blockbuster between  Nsingizini Hotspurs and Moneni Pirates at 4pm. According to a source within the PLE office, more than E600 000 was generated from ticket sales so far, showcasing the immense popularity of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.

This impressive sum is indicative of a substantial turnout, with an estimated crowd of over 11 000 soccer enthusiasts having attended matches since the tournament’s launch, last Sunday.
“The 8Bet Trade Fair Cup has been a big success. It exceeded expectations for both the Premier League of Eswatini and its sponsor, 8Bet. “From the very beginning of the tournament, we have seen impressive turnouts at matches, with the highest attendance recorded for the double-header featuring Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs. The matches in the opening rounds, particularly those headlined by Moneni Pirates and Mbabane Swallows, also attracted sizable crowds,” shared the source. When asked about the money made from the games so far, PLE Acting Chief Executive Officer Pat Vilakati shared that he was not in the office to provide the exact figures.

Confirm

“I cannot yet give precise figures, but I can confirm that the attendance at the games has been exceptional thus far. Based on the excitement generated by the tournament, we anticipate that tomorrow’s (today) matches will be played in front of a capacity crowd, setting the stage for an explosive finale,’’ he said. Additionally, Lindokuhle Mthupha, who serves as both the Brand and Marketing Manager for the PLE and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the tournament, expressed satisfaction with the numbers generated so far, emphasising that the turnout of supporters since the tournament’s inception has been extremely impressive.

“The numbers have been really impressive, although not all the games have been close to full capacity. Despite some teams being eliminated, we encourage supporters to attend tomorrow’s matches and continue to uphold the spirit of football. In the end, football will be the winner, and we hope that the tournament will continue to exceed our expectations in terms of both attendance and overall impact, “she said.

Mthupha further divulged that various entertainment activities would be organised alongside the soccer games to keep supporters engaged and amused throughout the day. “We would like to gently encourage supporters to arrive well in advance of the matches, ensuring their presence and participation in the festivities. Moreover, it is important to uphold the spirit of accepting the results as they stand, celebrating the victories and accepting defeats in a sportsmanlike manner,” she said.

Reflection

Mthupha clarified that the ticket price of E50 for the finals tomorrow was not an increase, but rather a reflection of the fact that the day would feature a double-header. “The first game will be the third–place play-offs, with the winner getting E75 000 and then the final,” she shared. Meanwhile, According to Article 20.4, the utilisation of any surplus funds/monies from the gate collections will be decided by the PLE Executive Committee.

The previous edition was self-sponsored by the Premier League of Eswatini to the tune of E1 million, with the victorious team, Green Mamba, receiving E300 000 and the runners-up, Mbabane Swallows, awarded half of that amount. The costs associated with hosting the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup tournament extend beyond the prize money and trophy for the winners, including expenses for referee fees, paying ball boys, marketing and advertising, logistics and event management and security, among others.

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