BB perks tripled
A bright new dawn! Following Big Bullets’ K500 million (about $ 728 118) partnership deal with Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC), the benefits have started trickling down to the players whose perks will be tripled with effect from this month.
Bullets chairperson Samuel Chilunga confirmed the development yesterday, saying most of the players’ salaries have been hiked by 300 to 400 percent, but kept a tight lid on the actual previous and new perks.
However, according to inside sources in the People’s Team, the lowest paid players were getting as low as K24 700 (about $35) monthly upkeep each while senior players were getting K33 000 (about $48) each.
This means Bullets players will now be getting in the range of between K100 000 (about $145) and K165 000 (about $240) monthly salaries, excluding other benefits.
“From the previous contracts, some players will get 300 percent hike, others 400 percent.
“All their entitlements were revised in the new budget—salaries [monthly upkeep], training allowances, game bonus and travel allowances —it has all been hiked. It is a player’s welfare-based budget. It’s new year, new partner, new things,” said Chilunga.
The Bullets boss described it as a big jump “which will require mental strength and discipline”.
He also said they are in the process of organising a workshop to equip the players with financial management skills and entrepreneurship.
Chilunga disclosed that the team has now started getting sponsorship allocation from NMC.
“They even provided players’ salaries for last month [December] as an advance.”
Bullets co-captain Pilirani Zonda on Monday described the development as a big boost.
“We have been briefed about the hike and all the players are excited. It was difficult to make ends meet with the little that we were getting, but we still persevered and gave out something extra for the love of the team and the game.
“The revision of our perks will go a long way in improving our welfare. It will also motivate us even further and on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank the sponsors and our officials for this noble gesture,” said Zonda.
Meanwhile, the club on Monday lived by its word and paid the players 60 percent of the K15 million (about $21 843) TNM Super League championship prize money.
Bullets constitution stipulates that players are entitled to 40 percent of the prize money, but Chilunga said this was a special token of appreciation for a job well done.
“They did a very good job under difficult circumstances by winning the league with a 16-point margin—winning against well-paid teams. We have already deposited the money into their accounts,” said Chilunga.
He also said the team’s former coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan, who is now Flames assistant coach, has also been given his share in recognition of the part he played.
