Since embarkment of engaging himself in football adminstration,Bimaile Phiri’s efforts to elevate football in Livingstone,the tourist capital of Zambia have been lauded and likened to the famous Moise Katumbi.
The businessman and provincial manager of Shalom Bus Services has recently sponsored a tournament for non-league clubs,Sponsored trekking fans to cheer second tier side Livingstone Pirates away from home and bailed out the club’s unpaid salaries to players.
Bemaile’s next objection is curbing poverty and improve the the lives of players in the town by offering them employment at Shalom Bus Services.
In an exclusive interview with reporter Dennis Tonga,Mr Phiri stressed the importance of players having something to do away from football,unlike staying home waiting for training time.
“I fell like instead of the players just sitting at home and wait for training sessions,it’s better they do something for themselves and their families.Football bonuses and others may just be a supplement”,Bemaile Phiri said.
The interim chairman at Livingstone Pirates also encouraged other football administrators to lead the role of helping financially unstable players.
“If all football administrators with businesses,companies and works to have a kind heart of helping these players like am doing and warfare will be a thing of the past”,Bemaile Phiri said.
Over 20 years of playing in the second tier,Livingstone hailing teams have failed to make it to the top tier,reason being greediness at clubs top hierarchy.Finally,there is light after the tunnel with the other flag bearer Zesco Vic falls enjoying good sponsorship by the Zambia Electricity Supply Company.
