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BB trustees block chair’s resignation

Was asked to reconsider his decision: Msungama
Was asked to reconsider his decision: Msungama

Big Bullets FC chairperson Kondi Msungama would have become the second top official to quit within a week yesterday had it not been for trustees chairperson James Busile’s intervention.

According to Busile, Msungama was incensed at being battered by a storm of negativity from main supporters committee secretary Mabvuto Chibambo, the latest being the call for him and general secretary Harold Fote to step down for allegedly frustrating former treasurer Noel Lipipa’s efforts to put in place sound financial mechanisms.

“He [Msungama] approached me this morning to say he has had enough and that he was quitting as the club’s chairperson, but I advised him to cool down and look at the issue with a sober mind.

“Apparently, the chairperson was irked by reports that Chibambo had demanded his resignation and that of the GS. I advised Msungama that as a leader, he needed to develop a thick skin,” said Busile,

The People’s Team trustees chairperson also lamented the internal squabbles that have rocked the team, saying they have the potential to ruin the club.

“In fact, we are taking serious disciplinary action against some members that are behind all this mess. We want to bring back sanity.

“It is unfortunate that while others are working hard for the team, a few misguided individuals are frustrating such efforts. Bullets is an institution and there are bound to be some misunderstandings, but it should not get to this point,” said Busile.

He said it is unfortunate that all this is happening at a time when the team is enjoying one of its best seasons in many years.

Chibambo told The Nation on Wednesday that in as far as the main supporters committee is concerned, Lipipa is still the treasurer of the team.

“Lipipa was serving the interests of the team and if anything, it is the chairman and GS who need to clearly respond to Lipipa’s allegations that they obtained another cheque book from the bank without his knowledge.

“Imeneyi ndi mimbulu yomwe ikusakaza ndalama za timu.These two persons [Msungama and Fote] are the ones who are behind all this confusion and if anything, it is them who should quit,” said the tough-talking Chibambo.

Msungama confirmed having communicated to Busile about his intention to quit.

“I am fed up of all this nonsense and this morning I felt I have had enough. I have been wondering, in recent days, whether it is worth it to continue working in an environment where some people are pulling while others are pushing.

“I felt it is probably better for me to step aside, to leave this game, because maybe that is the only way that I can save my reputation by the likes of Chibambo. But I had a lengthy meeting with the trustees’ chair who pleaded with me to hold on,” said Msungama.

He also laughed off Chibambo’s claims that he made the call on behalf of the supporters.

“That is a big joke. Some of us have pumped in a lot of money because of the passion we have for this team. What contribution has Chibambo made? My focus was purely to win the league and please the real supporters, who pay at the gates week in, week out to watch their beloved team and not Chibambo,” said Msungama.

He further said Chibambo is speaking out of frustration because of their efforts to block some supporters committee members from benefiting from gate collections.

“For instance, just last weekend, the supporters committee got K400 000 from the team’s share of gate collections in the game against Wanderers to pay supporters who manned the gates. Surprisingly, this money was given to them by Lipipa who claims to be a strict financial disciplinarian. That is why he is claiming that Lipipa is still the treasurer. By the way, nobody removed Lipipa, he quit voluntarily,” said Msungama.

Meanwhile, Bullets have elevated vice-treasurer Brian Ligomeka to the position of treasurer while Alex Gondwe has been appointed his vice. Gondwe lost to Lipipa during the team’s elections held prior to the season.

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