admineyeing another bumper attendance for the Mbada Diamonds Cup final and have slashed the entry charges for the showdown between Motor Action and DeMbare at the National Sports Stadium.
A record 30 780 people paid to watch Dynamo’s decisive Premiership game Rufaro in which they beat already relegated but bogey side Kiglon 2-0 to be crowned Castle Lager champions for the 2011 season.
That game grossed US$106 829 with Dynamos, as the home team, raking in US$57 000.
But it is the large colourful crowd that turned Rufaro into a sea of blue and white that has left the PSL chiefs in buoyant mood and expecting an even bigger crowd given that the Mighty Bulls have a slightly bigger following than Kiglon and that there will be all to play for when both sides clash in the Mbada Diamonds Cup final.
An added incentive is that it is the inaugural Mbada final and either die would want to be the first to have their name etched on the silverware.
While DeMbare will be seeking a league and cup double, Motor Action will be seeking to become the 2011 Cup Kings having already won the BancaABC Supr8 trophy.
However as part of efforts to woo the crowd to the National Sports Stadium, the PSL revealed yesterday that that advance tickets for the rest of the ground would be sold for US$2 while a ticket for the same area on the day of the match would cost US$3.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they had also demarcated Bays 17 and 18 as the VIP bays for which a seat in those bays will cost US$20.
Ndebele said the PSL and the sponsors of the tournament would combine forces to line up a host of entertainment activities that would make the Mbada Diamonds final a truly festive event that will bring the curtain down on the 2011 soccer season.
Winners of the cup will also secure the ticket to represent Zimbabwe in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Ndebele also paid tribute to Dynamos, their biggest title rivals FC Platinum, Kiglon and Shooting Stars for exercising Fair Play on the final day of the league programme and ensuring that the local top-flight retained its place among the best on the continent.
“What we saw at Rufaro in the match between Dynamos and Kiglon was exciting and colourful . . . if only we had television cameras there to capture those images for those in other towns and cities who could not make it to the stadium.
“And we are looking forward to having another bumper crowd that will give us a big curtain come down to the 2011 season.
“We have also decided to sell the tickets for the final in advance and also on the day of the match. The advance tickets will go for US$2 for the rest of the ground and US$3 on the day of the match.
“The VIP bays will be US$20 either in advance or on the day of the match but I must stress that entry into the VVIP Tribune will strictly be by invitation. We are trying to have some entertainment galore from as early as 10am when the gates open right up to the start of the match,” Ndebele said.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup sponsors, who have been providing massive road shows in all the centres where the earlier rounds of the tournament have been held, are also believed to be lining up an exciting programme befitting the grand finale.
Sunday’s Mbada clash between DeMbare and the Mighty Bulls will also be televised on one of the SuperSport channels as part of the PSL’s grand programme to try and tie up a deal with the big digital satellite television company.
But away from their expectations of the festive crowd, Ndebele paid glowing tribute to all the teams in the league for being competitive and said the fact that the destiny of the championship and that of the final relegation slot, were decided on the final day of the league programme.
“Surprisingly the teams that did not have anything to play for except pride did exceptionally well and tat is the spirit f professionalism that can only boost the image our league.
“We hope that those that have been relegated this year will work hard and will be back with us in 2013.
“Our congratulations also go to Dynamos for winning the championship, we would also want to congratulate runners-up FC Platinum for pushing Dynamos to the wire.
“Interestingly the league was on goal difference and goal difference also determined the final relegation slot between Shabanie Mine and Masvingo United and this again shows the competitiveness of our league. Now we are expecting Motor Action and Dynamos to give us a colourful end to the season,” Ndebele said.
Online Reporter