FAM, Sulom blasted at Chirambo’s funeral

Right from Kamuzu Stadium centre circle where the late Douglas Chirambo led Big Bullets to victories and the VIP Stand where he lifted trophies, tears flowed and anger exploded unceasingly today.

The casket was placed right on the centre circle as Bullets family, clad in red, waving red flags, humming, weeping and rolling on the artificial pitch, filed past the casket when paying their last respects to Chirambo.

At around 11am, the fans and players said good bye to a defender whose death, after succumbing to a brain tumour at Thyolo District Hospital on Sunday, triggered outrage over growing abuse of players.

And when the brown casket, which the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) bought, was carried to the VIP, packed with a sea of guests predominantly in black, Bullets captain Fischer Kondowe voiced the anger against all administrators.

“It is so sad Douglas had to die this way. If I had not played in South Africa, I too, would have been destitute.

“My message to football administrators is that: Do not use us players and dump us like hoes,” with that Kondowe’s face was buried in his palms and he collapsed while crying uncontrollably.

Speaking earlier, Bullets supporters’ committee general secretary Mabvuto Chirambo challenged FAM and Sulom that it was time they paid attention to players’ welfare.

“Those of you who call yourselves football administrators, know this: Your associations thrive on the success of Bullets, yet the team is the poorest and the most marginalised,” said Chirambo as the gathering groaned in approval.

Taking his turn, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda apologised to Bullets for neglecting players while assuring that: “From next season, we will introduce players’ medical insurance scheme.”

Chirambo fell ill in December and according to Mabvuto Chirambo, the family struggled to raise K200 000 needed for brain scan. Ironically, during that time, Bullets could afford to make donations to the needy [flood victims]. It later transpired that K2 million was required for the treatment.

From the stadium, a similar ceremony took place in Lilongwe before burial scheduled for today in Bolero, Rumphi. The former Dwangwa defender signed for Bullets in 2007 and earned some nine caps.