BB trustees to meet on fans’ buyout proposal
Nyasa Big Bullets FC regional and district supporters’ committees representatives on Thursday met the club’s board of trustees chairperson James Busiley over the proposal that Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC) should take over ownership of the team.
Busiley and the club’s Central Region supporters chairperson Ethel Moffat confirmed the meeting which took place in Blantyre.
“I indeed met them and they explained their position as regards the issue. Basically, what they said was that they would like Nyasa [Manufacturing Company] to take over the club because they want the team to have clear ownership.
“What I told them was that I had understood their position, but I cannot make a decision alone and I will soon call for a full board meeting to discuss the matter and then map the way forward,” he said.
On her part, Moffat said: “After briefing him [Busiley] on our position, we presented a letter pertaining to the same and he told us that on his own, he cannot make a determination and he will have to call for a meeting with his fellow trustees to discuss the issue.
“But it was a fruitful meeting because the board chairperson appeared to have understood our concerns.”
Meanwhile, the club’s vocal former main supporters committee chairperson Isaac Jomo Osman and soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda have since backed the move.
Said Osman: “Time has come for the team to have clear ownership. This team can only be run as a professional entity if there is clear ownership and those that are opposing the move are the ones who benefit at the expense of the players.”
On his part, Nyirenda said: “I fully agree with the approach because it accommodates concerns of others who feel strongly about ownership of the Big Bullets brand. If there is to be progress on developing the club to the level of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Dynamos (Zimbabwe) and Young Africans (Tanzania) etc, the club has to have proprietors.
“Without owners, there can’t be any serious investment. Let the exercise take its course and shares be floated.”
However, the team’s former chairperson Kondi Msungama yesterday said the speed with which the process is being done, raises a lot of questions.
“As I said, I am not against Nyasa owning the club, but their status now is a sponsor and if they want to buy the team then normal procedures have to be followed. Are the regional and district committees saying they have followed all procedures of consultation within two weeks? I do not think so,” he said.
“Let all Bullets fans take part in the exercise other than just a handful.”
Currently Bullets is registered under the Trustees Incoporations Act with Busiley as chairperson. n
