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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE financial crisis troubling Zimbabwe Cricket has led to the indefinite suspension of domestic league action, which was supposed to resume today.It seems a series of meetings held on Thursday night and yesterday failed to address the salary crisis that has affected the start of league action after the festive break.
To date, players at all the country’s five franchises – Matabeleland Tuskers, Mashonaland Eagles, Manicaland Mountaineers, MidWest Rhinos and Southern Rocks are yet to report for training after the festive season break in protest over unpaid salaries.
In a statement yesterday, ZC said lack of fitness among the players led to them postponing the restart of action after the break.
They said they are making efforts to pay players.
“In a meeting in Harare last night to look at the issue, it was agreed that the 18th of January is not feasible because the players, who have been on a long festive season break, need time to work on their fitness and match preparedness.
“The ZC board and management remain engaged in strenuous efforts with local and international partners to raise the money to pay all our outstanding obligations,” said ZC chairman Peter Chingoka.
At the meeting, the players were represented by Eliah Zvimba, a practising umpire and former managing director of Zimbabwe Indoor Cricket.
He is a renowned labour practitioner who will advise and guide the players on their labour-related issues, aided by his cricket background.
Lack of activity is likely to affect Zimbabwe’s preparations for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh starting in March.
Zvimba said players needed to maintain their focus on preparing for the resumption of the season so that ZC fundraising efforts continue unhindered and the season begins on a competitive note.
“The players are committed to their game. They are serious about their careers and will keep preparing for the resumption of the domestic season while I continue talks with ZC,” said Zvimba.
Domestic cricketers had a gloomy Christmas holiday as they went for the break without getting their salaries for November and December.
Some members of ZC staff have even gone for six months without salaries. ZC has faced financial challenges and as a result, this led to a late take-off of the 2013-14 domestic season, which only started at the beginning of the season.
ZC has asked the ICC for an additional loan of $3 million but the world cricket body has agreed to release the money on condition that ZC first provides an audit of the funds they received from the Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme early last year.
Online Reporter