Calls by Nyasa Big Bullets players and supporters for sponsor, Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC), to take over ownership of the team have resulted into many other interested parties coming forward to enquire about owning the Presidential Cup winners.
Commenting for the first time on the calls, club chairperson, Sammy Chilunga, said several entities and individuals have expressed interest in owning the People’s Team.
While declining to name the individuals and entities, Chilunga said the team ownership debate is important as it is an indication that Bullets is a good brand on the market.
“The businesspersons and former administrators have been asking whether the opportunity to own the club is indeed there but my answer is that there is no opportunity until the matter is discussed and resolved at the extra-ordinary general meeting this month end,” Chilunga explained.
He added that he believes in speaking out after due consideration and research, stressing that there is need for the right minds and expertise to expedite the process.
“Yes, the team needs to be owned –there is no question about it. It stands to benefit in many ways from having an owner. The team needs structures like a stadium to maximise on revenue collection. Suffice to say that this venture is not for ‘small boy’ ownership or investors, no. It requires those that are sound and experienced,” Chilunga insisted.
He said that he would present a paper during the forthcoming meeting on advantages and disadvantages of the club being owned by an entity or an individual.
“I have done a lot of research on ownership of teams from clubs which belonged to the community just like our own Bullets. I have been in touch with big and well-managed teams in South Africa and Tanzania, including seeking legal opinion from six lawyers—two of whom are foreign,” Chilunga said.
He also observed that views of other great minds in the Bullets family such as Gideon Kalumbu- Phiri, Dunstain Mwaungulu and Sunduzwayo Madise should be sought.
Calls for NMC to take over ownership of Bullets were made by players and the supporters committee at a luncheon hosted by the sponsor recently.
However, another section of the Bullets’ family, led by former chairperson Kondi Msungama, has vowed to stop attempts to transfer ownership of the club to any entity or individual, arguing that the club belongs to the community.
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