BB fans’ body demands polls

Nyasa Big Bullets main supporters committee has resolved to exert pressure on the club’s board of trustees to call for executive committee elections.

This comes in the wake of the impasse within the trustees on whether to call for elections or abolish the executive committee in line with the team’s drive to turn into a commercial entity.

Supporters committee chairperson Stone Mwamadi and secretary Mabvuto Chibambo said the silence from the trustees to set up a date for the polls could negatively affect the team’s preparations for the new season.

Said Mwamadi: “While we are in total agreement with the plans to turn the club into a commercial entity, it is clear that the trustees are not pulling in the same direction as evidenced by contrasting statements on the issue.

“Now, what we are saying is that the club cannot be put at ransom because of the differences on the issue within the trusteeship.

“We had a meeting at the weekend and it was unanimously agreed that we should push for the elections. This is the time to prepare the season by beefing up the team, but that cannot be done because we have no leadership in place, save for the chairperson, Noel Lipipa, who was mandated to run the club for the time being at the recent AGM [annual general meeting].”

Asked what will become of the suggestion to scrape off the executive committee, Mwamadi said: “That will be discussed while the executive is in place. Mind you, the constitution states that the team shall be run by an elected executive committee headed by the chairperson.

“And if trustees have different views that can be discussed at a different forum but what we are saying is that elections must be held as soon as possible and we have asked for a meeting with the trustees chairperson [James Busilley] later today [yesterday] to inform him about our stand,” he said.

On his part, Chibambo said: “The resolution to have elections was made by the AGM and it has to be respected. We are hopeful that when we take up the issue with the trustees, they will act accordingly.”

Trustees legal adviser Gaston Mwenelupembe said according to the club’s constitution, “the AGM is the supreme authority and so if it decided that elections should proceed then that is it. If there are others with different views then they can arrange for an EGM [extraordinary general meeting] where the issue can be discussed further”.

He said while some fellow trustees might have their own personal opinions on how the club should forge ahead, the decision made at the AGM needs to be respected.

“From my understanding, it is not like the AGM decided against going commercial, but most of the delegates felt there was need to enlighten the supporters on what commercialisation is all about and the process involved so that they understand the concept and there was a special committee that was set up to look into that.”

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda, who was in the taskforce that was set up to look into the commercialisation drive said: “There are those who feel uncomfortable about drastic changes that could alter the entire geography of what they see today and they would rather maintain the status quo.

“On the other hand, there are some trustees who believe the best way is to go commercial. Their argument is that the status quo has stagnated the club for nearly 50 years and there is need to change the way business is done. I think the two sides just need to come together and agree that the club should go commercial for the sake of progress.