No December salaries from Be Forward

Despite their sponsorship contract with Japanese used vehicles delear running up to  December 31 2020, Be Forward Wanderers will not get salaries for last month from Be Forward Limited due to “technicalities”.

In an interview, club chairperson Symon Sikwese yesterday admitted that they were caught off-guard after learning about the arrangement.

He said: “Be Forward are not to blame for the predicament, but it was the arrangement which was somehow complicated.

“From what I have gathered, Be Forward were remitting the monthly sponsorship in advance at the beginning of every month.

“So, what used to happen was that the money would cater for salaries for the previous month as well as operations for the current month.

“Initially, my anticipation was that we would still get a last tranche for the December salaries.”

Sikwese said they are planning to meet the players to update them on the situation and the way forward.

“As stated before, we are talking to a few potential sponsors and we are optimistic that things will work out.

“But then it is not something that can work out overnight and so for our players, technical and support staff,  patience will be key,” he said.

The Nomads chairperson also said besides the hunt for sponsorship, they are also trying to source upkeep for the players.

Team captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr also confirmed having been informed about the development.

He said: “Actually, when we learnt that the sponsorship contract would end on December 31, our assumption was that we could get our salaries for last month.

“But when we sought clarification, we were briefed about the arrangement.”

Be Forward were sponsoring the Nomads to the tune of $200 000 (about K155 million) annually and it was all going towards salaries.

Meanwhile, Sikwese has said they have come up with a task force comprising some of the team’s former administrators to help in the hunt for sponsorship.

According to the list sourced by  The Nation, they include Humphrey Mvula, Vizenge Kumwenda, Phillip Madinga, Masauko Medi, Jack Kamwendo, Gift Mkandawire, Mike Butao, Ernest Maganga, Chipiliro Mpinganjira and Mabvuto Missi.

Mvula hailed the move, saying: “Wanderers has rich human capacity that can help.

“There is need to open up and sit down as Wanderers family to map the way forward,” he said.