Mukwima Chilala writes
@SunZambian
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) has been advised to seek Government assistance in paying former national soccer team coach, Wedson Nyirenda’s salary arears rather than simply wash their hands off the issue.
Soccer administrator, Blackwell Siwale, challenged FAZ to inform Wedson Nyirenda and the nation when it would clear salary areas of the former national team coach because it employed him.
Siwale was reacting to Daily Nation reports quoting FAZ vice-president, Rix Mweemba, saying payment of Nyirenda’s salary arears was not a FAZ issue but the Government.
He told the Sun Sport it was illogical for FAZ to refer the former Chipolopolo coach to the Sports ministry over the issue when he was clearly contracted by the Association.
He said what FAZ president Kamanga and his secretary-general needed to do was to inquire from the Sports ministry when the former coach would be paid.
“Wedson Nyirenda was reporting to the FAZ Secretariat, so I’ve never heard of a coach who goes to check for his money directly at the Ministry of Sport, if that is now the trend, coaches will not be willing to help or die a little for mother Zambia if they have to chase for their money at the end of the day,” Siwale said.
He said, “The bottom line is that FAZ should be able to give direction to the Wedson Nyirenda and the nation on when the former coach will be paid, for Wedson to go to the Press, it means he has had enough chasing for his money from these guys (FAZ).”
And Former FAZ vice-president, Emmanuel Munaile, has challenged FAZ to give direction as to who was in-charge of Nyirenda’s contract.
Munaile said that standard practice was for the contract to be signed between FAZ and the coaches while Government paid the salary.
He advised that Nyirenda should not take Government to FIFA but FAZ because it is the one that he signed the contract with.
FAZ deputy secretary-general, Joseph Chimpampwe, assured the Association was making efforts to facilitate a meeting between Nyirenda and Ministry of Sports Permanent Secretary, Joe Kapembwa.
He said FAZ, through its finance manager had committed itself to paying Nyirenda through instalments the last time Nyirenda was in Zambia.
