National Sports

Some teams accuse Sulom of holding on to subventions

 

Some TNM Super League clubs have accused their mother body Sulom of holding on to K1 million subventions from the sponsors TNM plc.

However, Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda said the clubs were “being economical with the truth”, saying the entire first tranche goes towards meeting registration fees.

Among others, Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles claimed that they are supposed to get the subventions at the start of the season.

Chakaka-Nyirenda: Subvention should
serve its purpose

The clubs have since described the development as abnormal, saying it has affected their budgets.

Said Silver general secretary (GS) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda: “All along, we have been getting the subventions at the very start of the season, but surprisingly, this season we are yet to receive the money and there has been no word from Sulom.”

Eagles GS Ulemu Kalua also said they are in a similar situation.

“We are lucky to have a stable sponsor; hence, the pinch was not felt that much,” he said.

But while confirming that they had not received their subventions, other teams such as Be Forward Wanderers and Nchalo United,said it was by design.

Said the Nomads’ GS Mike Butao: “For us it was by design because we instructed Sulom to deduct our registration fee from the subvention. They also deduct some of our debts from the same. Zimangolowerana basi.”

On his part, Nchalo chairperson Peter Chiipanthenga also said they agreed with Sulom to deduct their registration fees from the subvention, “but we are yet to get the difference”.

But reacting to the clubs’ claims, Somba-Banda said: “The truth of the matter is that each team is supposed to get K600 000 in the first round “of which it has all gone towards settling the registration fees and the rest [K400 000] in the second round”.

But Chakaka Nyirenda countered: “But weren’t the teams supposed to be told about this? We already paid the requisite registration fee. Subvention should really serve its intended purpose, namely subsidising clubs.

“If registration fee subsumes subvention then subvention is merely illusory. Clubs should not be hoodwinked into believing that they are being subsidised when that is not the case.”

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