Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), sponsors of 2012/13 TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers, have promised to improve players’ welfare by reviewing their contracts.
RBM has also hinted at insuring the players in case of injury.
Governor Charles Chuka said RBM appreciates the work Silver Strikers Club is doing.
“We will review their contracts so that they can be relevant to the current economy. Silver is a special club and the players need to be seen that they are special,” he said when the club presented him with the TNM trophy at RBM headquarters on Thursday evening.
Chuka was reacting to an emotional plea from captain Peter Pindani who spoke on behalf of the players.
“I know that football is a short-term career, but risky because you can get injured any time. You need to have your legs insured so that when you get injured, you can have something as compensation to keep you going. RBM board is looking into that. Once everything is done, the chairperson [Dr McDonald Mafuta Mwale] will let you know,” he said.
Pindani had pleaded with the governor to consider the welfare of players, considering that the contracts they signed were based on the economic environment of five years ago.
“We have families who depend on us. We depend on football as a career and we have to send children to school. But what we are getting is not enough. Football is no longer a social event, but a career for these players. Help us sir. We know you are a listening governor,” he said.
RBM also promised Silver CAF football.
“You are an elite club. You need to be up there among the continent’s great clubs. We challenge the executive to build a team that can do us proud in Africa. I appeal to you players to perform well and the rest RBM will do,” said Chuka who was accompanied by RBM deputy governor Dr Grant Kabango.
The club’s board of trustees advised Chuka that in football, there is bad politics.
