The storm is over
Nyasa Big Bullets FC have accepted all conditions their sponsor Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC) imposed on the club on Monday for the sustainability of the K500 million five-year sponsorship.
One of the conditons is to accept Sam Chilunga as chairperson and those against his leadership—led by vice-chairperson Sadick Malinga—have been asked to step down.
NMC gave Bullets a seven-day ultimatum during an emergency meeting with the club’s board of trustees, executive committee, supporters committee and team captain Chiukepo Msowoya in Blantyre on Monday to accept Chilunga as chairperson of the club or risk losing sponsorship.
this match against Dynamos FC
In a press statement signed by Bullets trustees secretary Jim Kalua, the club has agreed to accept the conditions and that “all people that are not ready to embrace the modern way of running the team as a business entity must resign or be sacked…for the betterment of the teams’ stakeholders, mainly, supporters and players.”
Reads the statement: “NMC has committed to continue sponsoring the club on condition that the current chairman runs the club. The sponsors clearly indicated that they have trust in him due to his credentials, leadership skills and his welfare stance for the players, who are key stakeholders of the team.”
Among other issues, Bullets were also told to ensure players’ welfare is prioritised at all times and that the club’s finance committee should be kept alive as established in their constitution.
They were also told to set up a secretariat with an administrator and accountant so as to be in line with the club licencing requirements.
Chilunga, who threatened to resign following the infighting between the two factions of the executive committee, has now “accepted to continue as chairman (of the club) for the goodness of the team.”
NMC chairperson Konrad Buckle expressed delight with the development although he was dismayed at the club’s failure to pay salaries of players in February when funds were provided.
He, however, said they have decided to pay the players.
“It was very disturbing to learn that up to now Bullets players are not yet paid salaries for February. This is very unacceptable because when we came in with the financial backing, we expected the players to be the first and the main beneficiaries,” said Buckle.
“It is our hope that lessons have been learned and such a thing will not happen again. Players’ welfare needs to be taken care of and we do not have to let them down.” n
