Bullets target K50m from SMS drive

Big Bullets are targeting K50 million from their SMS drive dubbed 6767 that was officially launched on Friday at their clubhouse in Blantyre.

The People’s Team chairperson Malinda Chinyama said the initiative is part of their ambitious plan to become a commercial entity.

The theme of the ambitious drive is ‘Let ICT bring fortunes to Big Bullets FC’.

He also disclosed that should the effort succeed, they will rejoin the continent’s premier club showcase—the CAF Champions League.

“In future, we want this [initiative] to be the cash generator of the team. Our target is also to play in the CAF Champions League in the next two years,” said Chinyama.

He also appealed to Bullets fans across the country to move with the times and support the cause to make the popular outfit self-sustaining.

“The purpose of this initiative is to improve the welfare of the players so that they can live a decent life. They should live in good houses and afford some luxuries such as cars and not go around begging.

“We claim that Bullets have the largest fan-base. So, this is the time to prove it. Our estimation is that Bullets have three million supporters scattered across the country and, if we are committed towards the cause, we can achieve our goal,” said Chinyama, who was flanked by the rest of the executive committee.

The Bullets chairperson said the campaign has been dubbed 6767 considering the year the club was formed which was in 1967.

“So, we are now moving into a new era of globalisation in the modern world of technology and we urge our supporters to move with the times,” he said.

Outlining the mode of the operation, Chinyama said only TNM subscribers will be eligible to participate by sending text messages to 6767 which will offer a number of products such as results, scorers, log table.

“People might ask why TNM only? The reason is that according to the sponsorship agreement that Sulom has with TNM, teams taking part in the league cannot be allowed to go into partnership with institutions that are in competition with TNM.

“Subscribers will also be able to vote for their player-of-the-month or man-of-the-match. However, at the moment, the products that are active are line-ups, results and scorers. For example, if one wants results, the catchword will be ‘res’ while for log table, you just send ‘log’,” he said.

Chinyama said the benefits for the subscribers that will send 20 SMS’ or more will include automatic club membership, an offer for a meal at the team’s clubhouse, free entry for selected match or matches, and an opportunity to interact with a player of their choice.

The club’s general secretary Higger Mkandawire said as part of the promotion campaign, the club has come up with adverts that will be run on several radio stations. 

Kambale triumphs in Old Mutual Golf

Diana Kambale on Saturday proved too strong for other 17 lady golfers at the Blantyre Sports Club greens. She was over the moon and other golfers saluted her for the brilliant performance. Old Mutual Malawi marketing executive Linda Poya said more is yet to come this year. Among other sports initiatives, Old Mutual recently sponsored the national golf team which left for Zambia this week. In the picture, Kambale celebrates with the trophy—George Mhango, Staff Writer