Financial storms at Blue Waters
Yesterday morning, Blue Waters players boycotted training due to unpaid wages.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
Disgruntled Blue Waters players yesterday boycotted training due to unpaid wages.
The players, despite no domestic football action for months, managed to reach the semi-final of the MTC Namibia Football Associations Cup Aweh.
However, when it was time to pay the players what is contractually owed to them, the club management allegedly gave the players less than what they were supposed to earn.
A source claimed that certain players with a contract of N$5 000 a month received only N$1 000 this month.
A source close to the club revealed this to Namibian Sun, and expressed disappointment with the way the club is treating the players.
“I'm honestly very disturbed and disappointed by the endless phone calls that I've been receiving from various players regarding their salaries.
“What is worse is that I was just informed by two of them that they decided to boycott training after the committee refused to meet with them to provide clarity over why the club has not been honouring the terms and conditions of the contracts, they signed for the past few months without bothering to negotiate or explain to them anything.
“Worst of all, the coaches and team manager couldn't even reassure the players or give them hope on the way forward, leading to the players refusing to train and claiming that they will not train till they receive every single cent owed to them.
“Do we seriously realise that these boys worked very hard to get the club into a semi-final for the first time since 2008 and has secured a minimum N$100 000 for the club already?” asked the source.
The source further stated that the players are married men with families.
“Some have children to maintain, some have rent to pay, yet we can't honour our promises and obligations to them,” added the source.
It is also believed that the coaches’ wages were not paid in full. One coach (name known to Namibian Sun), has allegedly called in his lawyers.
Upon enquiry by Namibian Sun, club chairperson Robert Shimooshili rubbished the claims and stated that everything was well. He added that the players were paid what is due to them.
“I’m not aware of any of these things. These are things to distract our players,” he added.
Blue Waters are scheduled to play in a semi-final clash against Civics at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis on 16 October.
On the same day, Young African will take on Mighty Gunners at the same venue.
WINDHOEK
Disgruntled Blue Waters players yesterday boycotted training due to unpaid wages.
The players, despite no domestic football action for months, managed to reach the semi-final of the MTC Namibia Football Associations Cup Aweh.
However, when it was time to pay the players what is contractually owed to them, the club management allegedly gave the players less than what they were supposed to earn.
A source claimed that certain players with a contract of N$5 000 a month received only N$1 000 this month.
A source close to the club revealed this to Namibian Sun, and expressed disappointment with the way the club is treating the players.
“I'm honestly very disturbed and disappointed by the endless phone calls that I've been receiving from various players regarding their salaries.
“What is worse is that I was just informed by two of them that they decided to boycott training after the committee refused to meet with them to provide clarity over why the club has not been honouring the terms and conditions of the contracts, they signed for the past few months without bothering to negotiate or explain to them anything.
“Worst of all, the coaches and team manager couldn't even reassure the players or give them hope on the way forward, leading to the players refusing to train and claiming that they will not train till they receive every single cent owed to them.
“Do we seriously realise that these boys worked very hard to get the club into a semi-final for the first time since 2008 and has secured a minimum N$100 000 for the club already?” asked the source.
The source further stated that the players are married men with families.
“Some have children to maintain, some have rent to pay, yet we can't honour our promises and obligations to them,” added the source.
It is also believed that the coaches’ wages were not paid in full. One coach (name known to Namibian Sun), has allegedly called in his lawyers.
Upon enquiry by Namibian Sun, club chairperson Robert Shimooshili rubbished the claims and stated that everything was well. He added that the players were paid what is due to them.
“I’m not aware of any of these things. These are things to distract our players,” he added.
Blue Waters are scheduled to play in a semi-final clash against Civics at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis on 16 October.
On the same day, Young African will take on Mighty Gunners at the same venue.
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