Opinion / Columnist
Save cricket in Zimbabwe before it is too late
10 Apr 2013 at 14:41hrs | Views
That the goings on at 10 Maiden Drive is broadly defined as 'cricket' attests to how elastic the definition has become. In evidence that is now well-documented beyond rational disputation, events this past week saw Zimbabwe's cricketers, who are in the training squad in preparation for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, boycotting scheduled practice sessions and a warm up match. While points of emphasis and nuances on the matter may differ, the generally shared view is that these age-old, never-ending, self-defeating conflicts are all too familiar as it is not the first time that the administrators and players are not singing from the same song sheet, and put frankly, it's a mess.
So far, the response from the ZC administrators to their dirty line being washed in public has been to attempt to portray a corrupted perception that they have it all under control and that the players are being greedy in their demands, but even to the most foolish in our midst, the symptoms are there for all to see that the game in the country is terminally ill, everyone knows that something will have to give; they are just hoping it's not too painful. Alarmingly though, for a reason lost on those who care, the governing body of the game in the country cannot see this, or they choose to ignore it.
Are the players within their rights to demand better wages and some form of financial commitment from Zimbabwe Cricket in exchange for their untold hours in the nets? Without a shadow of doubt they are, playing for honor will not pay the bills and any breadwinner would be sympathetic to this position. The audience takes these things for granted, often forgetting that the characters we watch, and from whom we expect so much have families to feed and the game of cricket encouraged them to start them. Against the odds, cricketers in Zimbabwe have persevered despite the administration's continued unwillingness to provide a conducive environment that motivates players to want to improve.
It is the administrators who should get all the stick for failing to get their house in order. Those who speak with open mouths and shut minds will want to argue that the players have no basis to ask for money since their performances in the recent past do not warrant any monetary compensation. The reality on the ground though is that the players care for the performance of the team and cricket is their source of livelihood, but frustratingly the administrators through their decisions and conduct simply do not have the best interests of the players at heart.
The recent player boycott is a case in point. Consider the manner in which how ZC administrators initially showed a total disregard for the welfare of their non-centrally contracted players by not offering them winter contracts. Players were simply expected to turn up for practice and contribute their skills in fulfillment of fixtures accrue without any remittance for services rendered, and instead a meager daily allowance was dangled in front them.
Credit to the players for being bold in realizing their worth in an otherwise intimidating environment, an environment in which such actions can easily be framed by the oppressive administrators at ZC as rebellious and as being sufficient grounds to end your international career, just ask Taibu. Craig Ervine has seen enough and joins the long list of talented cricketers in the Diaspora who could be holding fort than the incumbents. Think about such talents like Balance, Ruswa, De Grandhomme, Samumderu, Chaitezvi, Chihota, Mwayenga, the list is endless.
Whether ZC had the money for the initial US$100 a week allowance and the subsequent five month, 800-American-dollar-per-month contracts that were eventually offered for those with no central contracts, or they sourced the money from elsewhere sensing the volatility of the situation, the fact remains that the matter was handled incompetently and the humiliation the player boycott could have been avoided, mindful of the wider responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe and the international sport of cricket.
For the ordinary Zimbabwean, particularly in the prevalent underperforming Zimbabwean economy, these figures might seem affluent, but as far as market rates go the completion earns far more than this, and given the short career life-span of a sportsman and the overheads required for one to be able to perform consistently at the highest level, these figures are small change.
The real issue here is governance, or lack thereof, and the product that the current administrators claim to represent so passionately is crumbling at their own hands. What solution, if any, is there for the chronic blindness of the administrators to the reality of the increasing irrelevance of Zimbabwean cricket?
Former coach Butcher made the point that 'we are simply not good enough' and Aussie great Gillespie termed ZC administrators as 'liars'. How embarrassing it is for outsiders to come into our backyard and tell us what we are not honest enough to acknowledge.
Plain and simple, the narrow minded and self-serving administration currently led by the weak Wilfred Mukondiwa, have shown no intention of reforming itself. Doubtless, the only thing that can be credited to them is overseeing the degradation and humiliation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Not only is the administration amateurish, it lacks credibility.
Just by surfing the online social media platforms out there you can see that people love the game in the country, but the administration is letting them down. Just pay a visit Harare Sports club and see the size of the grass on the outfield that the Zimbabwe training squad is currently practicing in.
Zimbabwean cricketers are demanding action and accountability. Someone has to stand up and say enough is enough and solve this thing once and for all. The cricketers everyone gets to see on television are trying hard to pull a brave face and compete, but the weight of incompetent administrators is damaging to their psyche and continues to pull them down.
How can it be that in a country with a population of 13 million and over 500 000 passionate male and female cricketers only 18 are being compensated for their efforts, how can it be? Even those 18 still have complaints of late payment of salaries, how can it be? Never mind the salaries, grounds are without covers, no net facilities to practice, no cricket balls to practice, no umpires, how can it be?
Someone must hear the plight of Zimbabwean cricketers; do not turn a blind eye. The boycott was a way of shouting out to the world that none of the principals at ZC have the best interests of the game at heart. Regis Chakabva, Chris Mpofu and Tino Mawoyo despite being injured in the line of duty, do not have contracts. If this is a thinking person's game, who is doing the thinking for Zimbabwe cricket?
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Prosper Tsvanhu can be contacted at ch8minda@yahoo.co.uk
So far, the response from the ZC administrators to their dirty line being washed in public has been to attempt to portray a corrupted perception that they have it all under control and that the players are being greedy in their demands, but even to the most foolish in our midst, the symptoms are there for all to see that the game in the country is terminally ill, everyone knows that something will have to give; they are just hoping it's not too painful. Alarmingly though, for a reason lost on those who care, the governing body of the game in the country cannot see this, or they choose to ignore it.
Are the players within their rights to demand better wages and some form of financial commitment from Zimbabwe Cricket in exchange for their untold hours in the nets? Without a shadow of doubt they are, playing for honor will not pay the bills and any breadwinner would be sympathetic to this position. The audience takes these things for granted, often forgetting that the characters we watch, and from whom we expect so much have families to feed and the game of cricket encouraged them to start them. Against the odds, cricketers in Zimbabwe have persevered despite the administration's continued unwillingness to provide a conducive environment that motivates players to want to improve.
It is the administrators who should get all the stick for failing to get their house in order. Those who speak with open mouths and shut minds will want to argue that the players have no basis to ask for money since their performances in the recent past do not warrant any monetary compensation. The reality on the ground though is that the players care for the performance of the team and cricket is their source of livelihood, but frustratingly the administrators through their decisions and conduct simply do not have the best interests of the players at heart.
The recent player boycott is a case in point. Consider the manner in which how ZC administrators initially showed a total disregard for the welfare of their non-centrally contracted players by not offering them winter contracts. Players were simply expected to turn up for practice and contribute their skills in fulfillment of fixtures accrue without any remittance for services rendered, and instead a meager daily allowance was dangled in front them.
Credit to the players for being bold in realizing their worth in an otherwise intimidating environment, an environment in which such actions can easily be framed by the oppressive administrators at ZC as rebellious and as being sufficient grounds to end your international career, just ask Taibu. Craig Ervine has seen enough and joins the long list of talented cricketers in the Diaspora who could be holding fort than the incumbents. Think about such talents like Balance, Ruswa, De Grandhomme, Samumderu, Chaitezvi, Chihota, Mwayenga, the list is endless.
Whether ZC had the money for the initial US$100 a week allowance and the subsequent five month, 800-American-dollar-per-month contracts that were eventually offered for those with no central contracts, or they sourced the money from elsewhere sensing the volatility of the situation, the fact remains that the matter was handled incompetently and the humiliation the player boycott could have been avoided, mindful of the wider responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe and the international sport of cricket.
The real issue here is governance, or lack thereof, and the product that the current administrators claim to represent so passionately is crumbling at their own hands. What solution, if any, is there for the chronic blindness of the administrators to the reality of the increasing irrelevance of Zimbabwean cricket?
Former coach Butcher made the point that 'we are simply not good enough' and Aussie great Gillespie termed ZC administrators as 'liars'. How embarrassing it is for outsiders to come into our backyard and tell us what we are not honest enough to acknowledge.
Plain and simple, the narrow minded and self-serving administration currently led by the weak Wilfred Mukondiwa, have shown no intention of reforming itself. Doubtless, the only thing that can be credited to them is overseeing the degradation and humiliation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Not only is the administration amateurish, it lacks credibility.
Just by surfing the online social media platforms out there you can see that people love the game in the country, but the administration is letting them down. Just pay a visit Harare Sports club and see the size of the grass on the outfield that the Zimbabwe training squad is currently practicing in.
Zimbabwean cricketers are demanding action and accountability. Someone has to stand up and say enough is enough and solve this thing once and for all. The cricketers everyone gets to see on television are trying hard to pull a brave face and compete, but the weight of incompetent administrators is damaging to their psyche and continues to pull them down.
How can it be that in a country with a population of 13 million and over 500 000 passionate male and female cricketers only 18 are being compensated for their efforts, how can it be? Even those 18 still have complaints of late payment of salaries, how can it be? Never mind the salaries, grounds are without covers, no net facilities to practice, no cricket balls to practice, no umpires, how can it be?
Someone must hear the plight of Zimbabwean cricketers; do not turn a blind eye. The boycott was a way of shouting out to the world that none of the principals at ZC have the best interests of the game at heart. Regis Chakabva, Chris Mpofu and Tino Mawoyo despite being injured in the line of duty, do not have contracts. If this is a thinking person's game, who is doing the thinking for Zimbabwe cricket?
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Prosper Tsvanhu can be contacted at ch8minda@yahoo.co.uk
Source - Prosper Tsvanhu
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