The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Sports Reporter —
UNCONSTITUTIONAL manoeuvres to keep founding chairman, Steven Chingwingwi in control of Mutare Pool League, coupled with alleged misappropriation of funds has resulted in the formation of a splinter league, Diamond Pool League, Weekender Sport has learnt.
The game of pool has a huge following in Mutare that led to the formation of a vibrant Mutare Pool League back in August 2010 with eight teams participating then.
The league grew in leaps and bounds under an interim executive that was led by Chingwingwi until 2014 when elections for a substantive leadership were held and Chingwingwi was voted chairman.
The Chingwingwi-led administration was meant to serve a two-year term that would culminate into fresh election for a new executive.
However, the national pool mother body’s constitution clearly states that if individuals are elected into the national executive they automatically relinquish positions at provincial level.
Chingwingwi was recently elected into the national executive as treasurer thus he would not be eligible to hold any position at provincial level, hence the need for fresh provincial elections in which Chingwingwi would not be eligible to compete.
But efforts were made to keep Chingwingwi within the corridors of power at Mutare Pool League to the extent of planning to amend the constitution and accommodate Chingwingwi as provincial president.
This did not go down well with progressive elements within the Mutare Pool League who felt that there is more to Chingwingwi’s interests to remain in control of the league than just the love of the game.
Munyaradzi Nedziwe, the information and publicity officer for the newly formed Diamond Pool League confirmed that they already had 16 clubs affiliated to the new league.
Nedziwe said the formation of the new league came as a result of disgruntlement within the Mutare Pool League owing to alleged embezzlement of league funds.
“We were part of Mutare Pool League, but it is sad that the chairman sought to extend his stay within the executive even after he had been elected into the national executive in spite of the fact that the constitution clearly states that one has to leave his office at provincial level after being elected into the national executive.
“We were also not happy with the way funds were being handled under the Mutare Pool League. This is the reason we had to form Diamond Pool League. Our games are set to start in February,” said Nedziwe.
In the Mutare Pool League, a total of 22 teams paid $120 affiliation fees each, a once off payment made at the start of the season, player registration fees at $5 per player for an average of 25 players per club and player identity cards at $5 per player.
Apart from those funds, there are fines that the Mutare Pool League used to make their affiliates pay for example, delaying in paying identity cards fees would attract a $10 fine and the same amount would be charged if a team is found guilty of causing an abandonment of a match.
The Mutare Pool League would also charge $200 to anyone who would wants to host a tournament at their premises and last year about seven tournaments were held at various venues across the city.
Players participating in tournaments would pay $2 to partake in a tournament.
It is alleged that the league racked more than $6 500 last year, but only $2 800 was shared among the participating teams at the end of the season, with some teams taking home as little as $27.
The bone of contention among the clubs is that if, indeed, the MPL executive was doing voluntary work just for the love of the game, the clubs were supposed to share $6 500 with only a few dollars used for printing services of fixtures and logs.
When contacted for comment, Chingwingwi refuted allegations of misappropriating of funds, saying the formation of the new league is good if it works for the good of the game of pool.
He said they are going ahead with Mutare Pool League, amend the constitution in their next meeting and move forward.
“I am told they are forming a new league in Dangamvura and we have no problems with that as long as it works for the good of the game of pool. I tried to convince them not to, but they remained adamant.
“We are going ahead with Mutare Pool League and we are going to have an elective meeting soon. It is a lie that I was making efforts to remain in control of the league, but it was actually the people who wanted me to remain in the picture. I am aware that Munya Nedziwe is the one peddling those lies.
“This thing does not have any salary or financial benefits, but just for the love of the game. We are going to amend the constitution and move forward. I am not refusing to go, but I don’t think peddling lies is the right way to try to gain ground,” said Chingwingwi.
