A new Big Bullets executive committee might be ushered in unopposed as aspirants backed by the former Geoffrey Mbalati-led supporters’ committee have reportedly withdrawn their interest in this Saturday’s elections.
Mbalati confirmed that four new aspirants and two from the outgoing Malinda Chinyama-committee showed interest to contest.
But Chinyama on Monday said he never showed interest to contest as a matter of principle.
“But when we pulled out from the supporters’ elections, they too withdrew interest as they have no trust in the new committee. They feel they cannot work with the new supporters committee. These [aspirants] are people who support Bullets and were helping the team financially whenever there was need,” Mbalati claimed.
He cited Hannock Mageira, Amon Muluwira and Vincent Scanda as among the people the deposed supporters coaxed to contest.
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could not establish if Mageira and Scanda accepted to contest but Muluwira yesterday said he was undecided.
“I was once approached by a certain man but I am not quite sure from which supporters’ camp. I haven’t made up my mind, but the probability of not standing is high. This is not related to the issue of the supporters. It’s just that the information is sketchy. We only learn about issues in the press,” Muluwira said.
Trustees’ secretary Jim Kalua on Monday said he was yet to receive supporters’ nominations but admitted that he had only heard names of possible aspirants from the Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman-led new supporters committee.
“We will meet and see the way forward, but the elections will tentatively take place this Saturday,” Kalua said yesterday, adding that he was unaware of aspirants’ interest dying down.
Osman said they will ask the trustees to consider postponing the elections, citing inadequate time to scrutinise the aspirants.
“We need time, holding executive committee elections barely a week after supporters elections might not be ideal. People need to know better the candidates. As for the others, that might be the case [aspirants from the other camp withdrawing],” he said.
Osman went in unopposed in last Saturday supporters committee polls alongside his deputy Stone Mwamadi.
Bruce Tambwali was voted treasurer while Mabvuto Chibambo became general secretary.
Emmanuel Chikoti was elected vice-secretary while Dave Matemba claimed the position of vice-treasurer.
