Bullets players rebuff trustees on arrears

Big Bullets chairperson Kondi Msungama yesterday went ahead to settle the players’ K1.5 million arrears for last season.
This was against Bullets trustees’ order that by Wednesday this week, Msungama should honour his pledge to take the team to Limpopo for camp training on the understanding that the trustees would settle the arrears.
Last weekend, Msungama backtracked on his pledge to bankroll the team’s trip to Limpopo, South Africa on the basis that his priority now was to settle players’ outstanding allowances from last season.
Bullets general secretary Harold Fote yesterday morning confirmed that following consultations with the trustees on Sunday evening, it was agreed that Msungama should honour his Polokwane trip pledge on the understanding that the trustees would clear the players’ dues.
But in a twist of the drama unfolding in the BB camp, when Msungama went to the team’s clubhouse yesterday morning to brief the players about the development, they bought none of it and insisted that he should pay them their dues.
Speaking on behalf of fellow players, James Chilapondwa said: “Mr. Chairman, all long the trustees were aware about the issue of our arrears, but they did very little to help us. These players have obligations to meet; they need to feed their families and pay rentals.
“Please bear with us and pay us the arrears as you pledged. If the trustees want to proceed with the trip to South Africa, then they will refund you the money you will pay for our dues.”
Sankhani Mkandawire echoed Chilapondwa’s proposal, to which all the other players clapped hands in agreement.
At this stage, Msungama went ahead to hand over the money to team manager Fundi Akidu.
Asked on the way forward, Msungama said: “Well, as it is I will revert to the trustees to brief them on what has happened.
“If they still want the team to travel by Wednesday. I am game, as long as they refund the K1.5 million which I had intended to use for the South Africa trip. After all, the hotel bookings were already made. What remains is payment. Simple.”
Msungama clarified that his responsibility for the trip was only for the players and the technical panel because the supporters had made their own arrangements by organising a raffle draw.
“My understanding, therefore, is that the main supporters committee and others involved in the arrangement will pay for the expenses of the 10 lucky supporters who are supposed to accompany the team from the proceeds of the raffle draw. But they need to make the hotel bookings in advance,” he said.
Bullets trustees chairperson James Busile said he was expected to meet Msungama later yesterday.
“If he has paid the players’ arrears, then that’s fine and good. In fact, that is what is important. As for the issue surrounding the trip, we will discuss when we meet,” said Busile.