Malinga bows To pressure
Push comes to shove. Nyasa Big Bullets vice-chairperson Sadiki Malinga has become the club’s second executive committee member to throw-in the towel as pressure from players and supporters mounts.
Malinga follows former treasurer Noel Lipipa, who resigned on Thursday.
Though both have cited different reasons for leaving the Sam Chilunga-led executive committee, the writing was on the wall that they were not welcome in the leadership.
“It is with regret that I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as vice-chairperson of Nyasa Big effective immediately,” reads the letter, which Chilunga addressed to Bullets Trustees chairperson James Busile on March 18 2016.Bullets executive committee
“My other commitments have become too great for me to fulfil the requirements of my position on the board and I feel it is best for me to make room for someone with time to devote to the position.”
Bullets vice-general secretary Kelvin Moyo, who is the only one mandated to speak on behalf of the team in the interim, made a one sentence comment about Malinga’s stepping down.
“A resignation of any executive member is regrettable,” said Moyo.
Malinga and Lipipa were among four Bullets executive committee members who were asked to step down for allegedly belonging to a faction that was causing infighting damaging the corporate image of the club’s sponsors, Nyasa Manufacturing Comany (NMC).
The other targeted executive members are general secretary Titha Mandiza and vice-treasurer Alex Gondwe, who have not yet made their official stance.
NMC last week gave Bullets seven days to sort out the mess or lose their K500 million sponsorship.
Bullets were given two options—accept Chilunga as chairperson or risk losing the sponsorship.
Trustees, some executive committee members and supporters committee accepted NMC’s conditions wholesale and asked the rival faction members to resign.
When the four dilly-dallied in stepping down, players boycotted Wednesday training session at Kamuzu Stadium in protest
