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by
George Kasakula, 14 May 2005
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12:24:23
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Futile exercise
I do not understand why Fam engaged in a futile exercise to organise regional training for Flames and end up with the same old faces except five in the squad. To me that exercise was just some public relations stunt by Fam after the 7-0 debacle the team suffered at the hands of Tunisia. And since some voices were advocating for the revamping of the team after the loss, it made total sense for Fam to bring some unknown players from the length and breadth of the country and pretend that they were, after all, doing something about talent identification. Worse still if the goal of the exercise was the Morocco game in June, it was ill-timed. It was easy to anticipate that the same old faces would be in the squad. Which coach in the world would risk taking some unknown face into the team faced with difficult opponents like Morocco? What a futile exercise!
Insist on contract
Football players in the country will remain a miserable lot unless they do something to alleviate their own suffering. Take, for instance, Bakili Bullets’ sacking of four players which was complemented by their rivals MTL Wanderers who also fired three. Do players really have to be at the mercy of club officials and supporters? Obviously the players did not sign any contracts, which should not be the case. I know for a fact that even the labourers at a tobacco estate these days demand rights and protection from ill treatment. It is surprising that players cannot do the same. Take Afiki Sikelo. He has been with the club for 15 years. All he gets for a thank-you are peanuts in form of five-months’ salary. So all the 15 years of service amount to is a five-months’ salary? This is unfair. Players must come together and fight this exploitation. The first step is demanding a contract. With a contract officials would think twice before firing players anyhow. What became of the idea to form a player’s union?
Another report
I am getting encouraged with words from the Director of Public Prosecutions Ishmael Wadi who has indicated that he intends to prosecute all those who were implicated in financial impropriety through an audit at Fam. This is commended and I look forward to the day when those implicated will be in the dock pleading innocence. Only then will the truth be known. The report was clear that people like former Fam president John Zingale, treasurer Hubert Mfune and executive member George Kaudza Masina misappropriated money of various proportions at the association. Naturally they gave their responses claiming innocence. It is only a court of law which can solve the deadlock. May I also remind Wadi that another report alleging massive fraud is also out. This time it is Ocgam. This too needs to end in court. Justice must take its course so that the truth must be known, otherwise people will think sports is a gold mine.
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