AFC Leopards had a gross income of Ksh 52,033,626 in 2021, but their total expenditure superseded that by more than 50% to Ksh 79,103,124, according to an audit report on the club ahead of their Annual General Meeting (AGM) set to take place on Sunday.The club operated on a deficit of around Ksh 27,069,498, a slight reprieve of about Ksh 1.7 million from the previous year that had seen a deficit of Ksh 28,833,758, and also considering that the club played more matches in 2021 than in 2021.Ingwe almost tripled their income from membership fees, managing to collect Ksh 3,034,200 in 2021, quite a big leap upward compared to the same source the year before where they had collected only Ksh 1,722,500. Branches also upped their game and the amount realized from Branches fees was double that of 2020.
However, they did not make any money from the sale of players as opposed to 2020 where they had raked in Ksh 2,800,000 on transfer fee. A good number of players left the club, on free, with some even going ahead to seek legal reprieve from FIFA. Benjamin Ochan, Austin Odhiambo, Bienventure Shaka, Clyde Senaji, and Elvis Rupia among others all left, for free.Despite the soaring numbers in membership as well as the fee generated from the same, the club sold less merchandise compared to 2020. Only Ksh 451,000 came from the sale of merchandise in 2021 compared to Ksh 2,810,950 the year before, which is more than six times the amount collected in 2021.A look at Okumu’s meteoric rise in market value amid interests from Germany, Spain, and ItalyPerhaps, the management needs to do more on that front to work in tandem with their shirt sponsor and ensure they avail merchandise on time and in good numbers.There were posts across the internet alleging that the club collected a mere Ksh 166,900 for a whole season. After thorough scrutiny of the club’s audited report for the 2021 financial year running from Jan 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, Mozzart Sport can report that the allegations are false and a misinterpretation.
Whereas it is true the amount collected in 2021 from gate charges was Ksh 166,900, it was realized from only three home matches which were played under tough conditions just after the government allowed spectators back to stadiums, easing the more than a year-long restriction.ExpenditureOn the other end of the stick, Ingwe did well to cut their expenditure from Ksh 83,802,117 in 2020 to Ksh 79,103,124 in 2021, which would have been further lower had they been more efficient in some quotas.The main culprit, you guessed right, was fines and penalties. Ingwe’s management have a tough task to ensure that they get the team off that FIFA red list to avoid such penalties. Whereas they had not paid fines in 2020, they parted ways with up to Ksh 8,923,620 in 2021.The 12-time Kenyan champions were also fined Ksh 6 million by FKF the same year for absconding a Mashemeji Derby in Thika, with their counterparts in that heist Gor Mahia being fine Ksh 4 million. perhaps, that sum inflated the penalties to Ksh 8,923,620. Nevertheless, there is work that needs to be done on that front.
Ingwe should embark on a more serious consideration to own their own grounds. They spent up to Ksh 1.6 million in 2021 on hiring training grounds and stadiums during match days. With a facility of their own, they could even make some money from hiring it out on match days, but that is a long-term investment that the club needs to give serious consideration or upscale the process if they are already thinking about it.They also dished out Ksh 8,115,539 in signing fees that year but still had to start the 2021/2022 campaign with limited players, mostly youth players. Although the amount was less to that awarded to new signings the previous year (Ksh 9,030,000.00), it still leaves questions on whether the return on investment was worth it, considering the skeleton of the team towards the end of the year.Mozzart Sport Football Kenya Federation Premier League Team of the SeasonWhether the representation of the figures in the report is true or not is something else. Clubs should go for more efficient ways to run their entities. In 2022, and when everything is shifting base to online, it is a shame that no Kenyan club is yet to embrace e-ticketing, which would improve gate collection if implemented properly, as well as cut printing costs. is it about time?