Covid-19 hits Wanderers

 Be Forward Wanderers players have become the first in the country to agree to a pay cut due to the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which has stalled sports and business globally.

The Nomads sponsor, Japanese used vehicles dealer Be Forward Limited, resolved to cut the club’s sponsorship by 50 percent; hence, the measure to cut players’ pay.

The Lali Lubani Road outfit’s captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr said the agreement follows a meeting they had with the club’s leadership on Saturday.

He said: “We were briefed about the sponsor’s decision and the club’s subsequent proposal to cut our salaries.

“We were also told about the plans that the club is putting in place to mitigate the situation and we accepted because according to our bosses, the salaries only could be cut for two months.

“So, in view of the situation, we had no choice, but to accept the reality on the ground.”

The team’s general secretary (GS) Victor Maunde said the pay cut will be effected in May and June “after which there will be a review of the situation on the ground”.

He said: “This was what was agreed with the sponsors whom we are in touch with.”

Maunde also contradicted club chairperson Symon Sikwese on the percentage cut, saying: “Let me clarify that the cut is about 30 percent and not 50 percent.”

However, Sikwese insisted that it is 50 percent, saying: “As a team we contribute 20 percent of the sponsorship, now with games not being played, it means that we are down by 50 percent.”

The Japanese used car dealers sponsor the Nomads to the tune of $200 000 (about K150 million) per year.

Many teams globally have effected players’ salary cuts due to the effects of Covid-19.