No pay hike for Flames-Council
The Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has said if the current performance is anything to go by, the Flames do not deserve a hike in game bonuses.
Sports Council executive secretary George Jana was responding to a question on whether the players and FAM’s proposal to increase their game bonuses from K30 000 (US$87) to K100 000 (US$290) (representing a 233 percent hike), will be effected.
The remarks came in the wake of the Flames sterile performance at the Cosafa Cup in Zambia where they failed to make it even past the losers’ plate phase.
“They have got to prove that they deserve a better bonus.
“It is not like we don’t like our boys or that we do not want them to be rewarded for their sweat, but they have got to demonstrate that they deserve better allowances,” said Jana.
The MNCS chief executive also wondered why the Flames expect the nation to listen to their plea when they are not delivering on the pitch.
“Their performance and results do not portray a team which is putting an effort.
“National team is not a money-generation entity, it’s for one to display patriotism. Yes, rewards are there, but it is more about serving one’s country.
“You cannot tell me that [Didier] Drogba gets more money when he plays for Ivory Coast compared to his appearance fee at club level?” argued Jana.
He also stated that even if the Flames would argue that their proposal is justified considering that it is for a win, “in normal circumstances, the interpretation of a bonus means that a company or an institution has made a profit. Now do you determine a profit from everyday’s work?
“One must achieve beyond projected profit to qualify for a bonus. So, they are supposed to be paid a [bonus] after winning a tournament and not a mere preliminary game.”
He further said the fact that other national teams within the southern African region and beyond get more in terms of allowances is no justification to up Flames allowances.
“We have to consider how our economy is compared to the other countries. Why compare oranges and apples?” wondered Jana.
Flames captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo appeared stunned by the council’s position.
“Is that what they are saying? Then, so be it. I need to convey the message to my colleagues before I say anything,” said Kamwendo.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said yesterday that what the Flames get is peanuts.
“It is unfortunate because the players need to be motivated if we expect them to give out something extra.
“We made the recommendations [for allowance increase] having noted that the allowances are not fair and attractive compared to other countries in the region,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Nyamilandu faulted government on its claim that the association is not doing enough to complement government funding for national team activities.
“When there is no money, they [government] always shift the blame to FAM. Nevertheless, we complement national team engagements in so many ways from our business [sale of replica jerseys] and gate-takings. For instance, during the recent Flames friendly match against Botswana, we entirely funded everything.
“In most cases, we also double game bonuses from K30 000 to K60 000 (US$174) for each player,” he said.
He said they double the standard training allowance per player from K1 500 (US$4) and they provide additional sum on Flames’ camping expenses.
Nyamilandu claimed that the K70 million (US$202 899) allocation will affect their operations as it will be consumed within the next three months and that it will further affect their plans.
The FAM president said if government fails to fund national team activities, then FAM will have no choice but to pull the Flames out of important events.
