The lucrative offer that saw Marumo move their Chiefs game to Royal Bafokeng
FARPost has gathered that the Royal Bafokeng Nation [RBN] dangled a lucrative offer to Marumo Gallants, prompting them to move their game against Kaizer Chiefs to Rustenburg.
Marumo have defended their decision to move their DStv Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs from Polokwane in Limpopo to the North West province.
Marumo will host Amakhosi at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Sunday, 11 September at 15:00. The fixture was initially scheduled to be played at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The decision has been heavily criticised within the football circles in the province, specifically fans who were hoping to watch their home club against one of the biggest clubs in the country.
According to sources close to the developments, the amount offered to them is believed to be in the region of R4 million if they bring all their big games to the 2010 World Cup facility in Phokeng, just outside Rustenburg.
There is a likelihood that they will also take their matches against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns to Bokone Bophirima under the arrangement.
Addressing the media after the club’s 1-1 draw against Swallows at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, chairman of the club Sello Abram said they will evaluate which matches to take to North West as time goes on.
“It is very easy [to explain]. When you do the [PSL] membership thing, you have three venues to choose from. Our main Stadium is here. Our alternative is Old Peter Mokaba and Royal Bafokeng. So, we move around, and we make sure that we address our supporters wherever we go, and we do everything in our power to make sure we adhere to the PSL requirements,” said Abram.
“We chose any game [we want]. It’s not specifically Kaizer Chiefs. We chose any game. It depends on our management what they do, you will see more games here, or you can see more games in Rustenburg. We follow our membership as they go, and we have to follow up with the protocol of the PSL,” the Marumo boss added.
“We will evaluate. It’s business, and that’s it.”
The move has also left the club at loggerheads with the Polokwane Municipality. The municipality has a three-year agreement with the club to host all their home matches at Peter Mokaba Stadium for free. This publication understands that the municipality pursues a legal process over the decision.
Matches against Chiefs are key as they generate more revenues due to their massive following across the country.