Masonda’s illness sparks rift

Former Big Bullets player Godfrey Masonda’s illness has sparked a rift between some well-wishers and a section of the club’s officials.

Relief is the prevalent emotion for Masonda, who departs today [Thursday] for Johannesburg, South Africa, to get medical attention at Milpark Hospital.

BB general secretary Harold Fote on Thursday claimed that all logistics pertaining to Masonda’s trip had been finalised.

“Bullets officials, trustees and supporters contributed towards the cause and air tickets for Masonda and his guardian have already been purchased. He has an appointment with a Dr. Patel, a cardiologist at 10am on Monday. All the other anticipated expenses have also been taken care of unless if there will be other extra expenses,” said Fote.

But some well-wishers that stepped up the crusade said they were not amused that the club’s officials had ‘hijacked’ the initiative to gain credit.

A group of individuals that included the team’s former chairperson Malinda Chinyama, GS Higger Mkandawire, ardent football follower Kim Kamau and sports journalist Mike Bango stepped up the drive to raise funds for the ailing Masonda when his family sounded an alarm that the player’s condition was worsening.

“If you remember very well, at first Bullets announced that they would arrange a friendly match whose proceeds would go towards Masonda’s cause, but nothing happened. They came out of the blues after we announced our plans to help the boy.

“On our part, it is not that we wanted to get credit, but we were just concerned and that is why we arranged a friendly match between Silver Strikers and a team from his home district. Proceeds were surrendered to his family. We also made efforts to take it up with government through the minister and PS. And we feel it is unfortunate that Bullets did not bother to contact us when we were already pursuing the same cause,” said Kamau.

But Fote said: “It is not like we turned our back on the boy because we were doing it behind the scenes, we did not want to blow our own trumpet.”

Nevertheless, Masonda yesterday expressed gratitude to all those that have been involved.

“There can be no better way to thank the team and others. All I can say is that God should bless them abundantly,” he said.