We haven’t failed—Bullets owners

Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC), owners of Nyasa Big Bullets FC, say they have not failed to meet the takeover conditions of the club as prescribed in the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

NMC board chairperson Konrad Buckle, who is also the president of the club’s board of directors, said there is full commitment to meet the agreement.

He said: “It has been a massive undertaking [and] we have not failed. We have failed in a few areas, but it is not for the lack of trying. The board has got the welfare of the team at heart, it is a priority.

“For example, on the issue of training ground, we have been to about 10 grounds, but we basically we haven’t found the right place.have had logistical challenges,

“[Similarly], we have also had challenges on the issue of club houses, but it is not something that we haven’t paid attention to as regards the contractual obligations.

“The [takeover] steering committee has made sure that there is constant pressure to ensure that the agreements are binding and all I can say is that the sponsors, the owners and the board are fully committed towards the cause.”

On his part, the club’s takeover steering committee chairperson Noel Lipipa, who is also the club’s board member, confirmed that training grounds were indeed identified in places such as Lunzu, Chileka and Mpemba, but said they felt were not ideal because they were far.

He said: “Similarly, on the issue of club house, a place was identified in Machinjiri, but again we felt it would not be suitable, considering that it would be far from the stadium which government has committed to build for us at Moneymen [along Chikwawa Road].

“And on the stadium issue, it was resolved that we consult the supporters on whether it will be necessary to own two stadiums, bearing in mind the one to be constructed by government.”

However, Lipipa said the steering committee will see to it that NMC adheres to the MoU which came into effect three years ago.

Among other terms, NMC committed to take over the team’s verified and confirmed debts, which were estimated to be in the excess of K183 million, which they did within the stipulated six months.

The others included acquiring a brandnew bus within six months, constructing a stadium of not less than 10 000 seating capacity (five years), training ground (within a year), three clubhouses (one in each region) within three years, setting up an academy within a year and listing the People’s Team on the Malawi Stock Exchange