By Scoop Reporter
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has swiftly responded to an appeal for assistance and has given the Nkana Midlands Bureau US$32, 000 to clear the outstanding bill Nkana owes its former Congolese striker, Walter Bwalya.
The Nkana Midlands Bureau (NMB) is a society of all supporters of Nkana football club covering areas stretching from Central, Eastern, Lusaka, Western, and Southern regions of Zambia.
Nkana Midlands Bureau patron, Chileshe Kandeta, says President Lungu, who is also patron of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has made the donation to the club after being approached for assistance.
Kandeta says the funds will be used to off-set the entire outstanding dues owed by Nkana to Bwalya and for investment in sustainability programmes for the Nkana Midlands Bureau.
Presenting the funds through his aides this afternoon, President Lungu took the opportunity to advise the sports community to instill systems that will guarantee transparent, accountable, and efficient utilisation of resources so that there is sustainability in sports management and development in the country.
The funds were received by Kandeta, bureau Secretary Dalitso Banda, and Nkana Midlands treasury representative Priscilla Katongo Witika.
“As Nkana supporters, we are very grateful to the Republican President for coming to the rescue of Zambia’s biggest and most popular sports team, Nkana Football Club. Twatotela bakateka wesu, Lesa amipale.
“Speaking on behalf of Nkana supporters, today is yet another day of great appreciation to the President by Nkana’s millions of followers and the sports fraternity at large. Our prayer and hope is to crown this good news by winning the league tomorrow,” Kandeta said.
He says the outstanding funds will be paid to Walter Bwalya’s lawyers, Wilson & Cornhill Advocates for onward disbursement to the player as per agreement entered between the club and the law firm.
The outstanding payment to Bwalya is approximately US$19, 300.
