Fans to pay Nomads players’ training allowances

Be Forward Wanderers supporters have taken over responsibility of players’ training allowances and outstanding bonuses.

Nomads Main Supporters Committee chairperson Melvin Nkunika said in an interview that the resolution was made during a meeting they had with zonal committees recently.

He said the supporters in the South have offered to take responsibility for players and technical staff training allowances.

“We want the executive committee to concentrate on raising salaries,” he said.

Wanderers players and the technical staff get K2  000 each per day for transport and other costs.

“The combined number of players and technical staff is 37 and the team trains for five days a week and that translates to K740 000 a week and we should be able to raise that,” he said.

He also said the Central Region supporters subcommittee has offered to pay outstanding bonuses for five matches (two wins and three draws) which  comes up to about K1.3 million.

A Nomads player gets K35 000 for a win, K5 000  for a draw and nothing for a loss.

Nkunika said in the event that the team secures sponsorship, some of the initiatives will continue.

Already, the team’s supporters are contributing towards the players upkeep through the zones.

Club chairperson Simon Sikwese yesterday thanked the supporters for the move.

“The efforts alone demonstrate the passion and love they have for their team. It is encouraging that the supporters are embracing their role of supporting the team,” he said.

Nkunika also said although the Noma Yanga Noma Yathu initiative, flopped, they are optimistic that this move will not fail as it is being done through the zonal setup.

Sikwese also said the hunt for sponsors and partners is ongoing.

“We have stepped up the drive and we are knocking on doors. We are hopeful that something will come out,” he said.

Team captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr thanked the supporters for their initiatives.

“A player can only give out his best if he is motivated and considering the current circumstances, whereby the club has no sponsor, we do not take it for granted.

“As players, we pledge to give out our best for the love of the team. We are also mindful that we can only impress potential sponsors through good results,” he said.

Last month, business mogul and FDH Financial Holdings Limited founder Thom Mpinganjira pumped in K20.2 million to cover 50 percent of the club’s salaries for four months.