The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
THE Sports and Recreation Commission has set up a three-member board committee to launch an inquiry into the problems relating to the Warriors’ participation in the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 in Gabon, starting from the embarrassing boycott of a dinner organised for the team send-off by the then Acting President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Post Sport has learnt.
The board committee comprises Commissioner Titus Zvomuya as chairperson, commissioners, Joseph Mungwari and John Falkenberg, with the duo of Stephen Mukanhaire and Tutsirayi Zvandanga as members of the secretariat.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the Gabon 2017 tournament was marred by poor preparations as well as industrial action by the players as they demanded their dues.
The challenges that bedevilled the Warriors camp came to a boil when the national team players refused to attend a send-off dinner hosted for them by the then acting Head of State.
According to a letter addressed to Zifa president, Phillip Chiyangwa and signed by the Sports and Recreation Commission acting director general, Joseph Muchechetere, copied to Fifa and the parent ministry, the SRC board committee is expected to have finalised their report by February 28.
“Following serious problems caused by the senior men national football team (The Warriors) while in camp preparing for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and boycotting a dinner organised for the team’s send-off by the Acting President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the SRC Board Committee of Inquiry has to start work immediately.
“The Committee of Inquiry is mandated to work closely with Zifa in coming up with the findings and recommendations that will assist in developing measures to avert any recurrence of such issues in future.
“It is in the public knowledge that further to the boycott of the send off dinner, the team preparations and travelling arrangements were affected.
“These problems could have affected Zifa’s operations and image, the team’s sponsors with ramifications for future funding support for future teams, football programmes and other sporting and recreation activities at large,” reads part of the letter.
The SRC notes that problems that rocked the Warriors camp were a first in the history of sport in the country.
“The problems caused by the Warriors have far reaching consequences and are unprecedented in the history of sport and football in Zimbabwe,” reads the letter.
The committee of inquiry is established in terms of Section 12 of the Sports and Recreation Commission Act (Chapter 25:15) as read with Section 19, paragraphs (b) and (c) and Section 20 paragraph (c) of the same Act.
The SRC also laid out the parameters of duty for the appointed board committee.
“Evidence may be gathered orally through face to face or electronic interviews and by way of written submissions.
“The committee should record its proceedings and findings and shall thereafter seek a report from Zifa to answer any allegations, matter, fact or issue that may require clarification.
“The committee should make any other recommendations that will help with the prevention and management of any similar developments in future, whether these relate to football administration or any other sport code or sports in general,” reads part of the letter.
