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ESPNcricinfo staff
October 19, 2011
An article in the Sunday News in Zimbabwe has claimed the country's domestic structure is being undermined by political appointments, something strenuously denied by Zimbabwe Cricket chief executive Ozias Bvute.
While Zimbabwe's international standing is improving, the article by Mehluli Sibanda, who has covered the game from within the country for many years, says many of those in key provincial positions are there for non cricketing reasons.
Zimbabwe Cricket undertook an extensive overhaul of its domestic structure a few years ago, ostensibly to be make it more representative and democratic. But, Sibanda stated, the reality is that it remains anything but.
"The clubs still do nominate those they want to lead them but those individuals still go through a rigorous vetting exercise carried out by ZC before they can assume office. This has seen many aspiring candidates being disqualified without any good reason being given and this has in turn discouraged many who want to serve the game.
"Early this year, there were special general meetings in all the provinces which produced some shameful results with people who had never held any administration posts in some of the provinces getting into positions of power."
Sibanda based in Bulawayo, where he was a first-hand knowledge on the stage of local clubs. "In Bulawayo we had Esther Chagadama been elected president in unclear circumstances, after some of the local club officials were disqualified, without any reasonable explanation. Chagadama, a former finance manager ZC went on to become a board ZC A few months later, which indicates clearly that I was part of the grand plan for her to use the [locale] to achieve its ambitions to be on the national board.
"Chagadama did something for the benefit of cricket in the Bulawayo since it was the president of the province. She has never met with leaders of four major clubs in the city or even participate in the championship games on Sunday. "
In response, ESPNcricinfo Bvute said: "The provincial associations are related to the ZC constitution which means that the criteria and procedures related to nomination and election of board members is strictly followed and set out to someone you can say that this process is not democratic. Unfortunately, as we have taken great care to ensure that processes are governed by key members of our society, some senior lawyers and seats on the boards of others. After being elected to become the same club president, Mr Sibanda probably can attest to the inclusion in the process.
"While we welcome any feedback that will lead to the growth of our club and provincial structures, our constitution, which the clubs are tied, gives ample opportunity for a solution, any member should feel that there was an injustice, and we will call on Mr Sibanda to follow the necessary procedures before making what could prove to be defamatory allegations.
"We are behind the decisions of election commissions and welcomes the participation of a member of society to meet the necessary requirements and believes they can make a lasting contribution to sport."
Sibanda also said ZC finance, said it was unrealistic to impose membership fees of clubs before playing. "I know that the four major clubs in Bulawayo - Queens, Emakhandeni, Bulawayo Athletic Club and the Crescent - has not paid the money and I doubt they will be able to meet it."
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