Online Reporter
THE recent controversy involving the Women’s senior national team, the Lady Sables, on their tour of duty for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Division One tournament in Côte d’Ivoire and the Warriors’ threat to boycott their international friendly match against Niger in Morocco has once again exposed fissures in Zimbabwean sport’s administration.
Those incidents, which we covered in our earlier editions in this publication, put a damper to the letter and spirit of everything sport.
These cracks are centred on lack of proper athlete contracts, delayed payments and or poor engagement between associations and their representatives.
Such incidents not only embarrass the nation, but also erode trust, disrupt athlete preparation and diminish morale at a critical moment.
We believe it is time for a paradigm shift that will see sports associations working closely with the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) and the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture to establish robust systems that safeguard athletes’ welfare and uphold the integrity of our sporting codes.
In boxing, frequent disputes over fight purses and the lack of formal contracts have led to a decline in participation, especially by high-profile boxers.
Athletics has seen insufficient support for training and international competition, undermining their ability to perform at their best.
Rugby continues to grapple with governance issues and poor communication between the union and players.
Cricket players have expressed concern about contract clarity and timely payments.
Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) also face similar challenges, with dissatisfaction over allowances and a lack of engagement, seemingly the order of the day.
All these examples are symptoms of the deep-rooted challenges confronting Zimbabwean sport.
The SRC’s mandate is clear: To promote, coordinate and control the development of sport, ensure proper administration and protect the interests of athletes.
This is why the commission is the country’s sport regulatory body and the conduit through which Government’s sport policies and programmes are implemented.
Yet, when associations neglect their duties — failing to provide contracts or guarantee payments — they undermine this mandate and jeopardise the entire sports ecosystem.
Some even have the temerity to quickly run to their international federations to seek protection and cover from public scrutiny.
The Lady Sables’ ordeal, where there were reports of players ending up buying their blazers and paltry allowances, is a sobering reminder of what happens when governance fails.
To foster genuine development and avoid cheap boycotts that sap energy and rob athletes of valuable focus and practice time, sports associations must institutionalise standard operating procedures (SOPs).
These SOPs should cover everything from contract negotiation — ensuring every athlete has an explicit, enforceable agreement — to timely payment of allowances and bonuses.
International best practice demonstrates that professional contracts not only protect athletes but also motivate them to perform, as they know their welfare is prioritised.
Sport is a national asset, and the Government acknowledges as much in its National Development Strategies (NDS).
Thus, sport administration must reflect the highest standards of professionalism.
Only by prioritising athlete welfare, fostering open communication, and committing to transparent governance can Zimbabwean sport move beyond embarrassment and realise its full potential on the regional and global stage.
Episodes of player or athlete boycotts of training or matches do more than hurt individual athletes; they damage the credibility of associations and even clubs.
They discourage sponsors and result in diminished fan support as confidence in a venture plays a key role in luring support and growing a fan base.
With the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) expected to send athletes to both the World Athletics Championships and the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Combined Under-18/Under-20 Championships in the coming months, now is the time to draw lessons from past failures.
Similarly, the rugby Sables will be heading to Uganda to try and defend their Africa Cup title and with it, possible qualification to the 2027 World Cup scheduled for Australia, while the Warriors are due to travel to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
As such, we implore the leadership of these associations to read through and correct on the past mistakes proactively.
As a country, we cannot afford another public spectacle over unpaid dues or unfulfilled promises.
Athletes must board their planes for their respective competitions knowing exactly what is due to them, and when.
To achieve this, all sporting associations must adopt clear, written agreements with athletes before they depart for any major event.
These agreements should cover appearance fees, daily allowances, bonuses, conduct expectations, and the dispute resolution process. Associations should also ensure that funds are available — or contingency plans in place — to honour their side of the deal.
A clear plan of action with reasonable agreements is a powerful tool even for the engagement of partners.
This is not merely a financial matter. It is about trust, professionalism and respect.
When athletes feel valued and secure, they perform better.
When associations operate transparently, they earn credibility and attract partners. When policies are followed, sport thrives.
Zimbabwe has the talent to make a mark on the global stage. Let us not allow poor administration or avoidable disputes clip our wings.
The sports sector must move decisively towards policy-based governance and clear, enforceable agreements. Let the upcoming championships be a turning point — where preparation off the field matches the passion on it.
The athletes will do their part.
Let administrators do theirs.
