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THE success of any country on the sporting fraternity is not something that can be left to an individual sporting team or discipline. Government and the corporate sector should move in. Sport is no longer recreation. It is now a multi-million dollar industry contributing to the country’s economy. Thousands of people are employed as players, coaches and administrators serving many purposes in society.
It is entertainment, recreation to some, employment and a major driver for unity and well-being of society.
Last week two national representative sides, Dynamos and the Mighty Warriors, travelled almost 1,100km to Gaborone, Botswana, by road. By all standards it was a tortuous trip which did not allow the athletes enough rest and time to balance adequately their energy levels before the game.
Luckily their opponents were not so strong and the Zimbabwean teams were able to conquer, with the Mighty Warriors edging their hosts 1-0 in a women’s Africa Cup of Nations first round encounter. DeMbare, who arrived two days before their encounter, were held to a 1-1 draw by Mochudi Centre Chiefs in a Champions League preliminary round tie.
We have to thank the heavens for a friendly opening round for both teams. The mode of travel opted for was not by choice but was due to a perilous financial position of both teams.
Representative sides deserve better. They carry the aspirations of millions and dreams of many a budding youth. Hence their treatment by Government and the corporate sector should be different.
It should be noted that in 1999, a promising crop of players that included Benjani Mwaruwari, Thulani Ncube, Nqobizitha Ncube, Artwell Mabhiza, Pope Moyo, Siza Khoza and the late Blessing Makunike were in a bus that hit a donkey at Dibiti, more than 60km from the Botswana capital. They were lucky in that there were no casualties but the shambolic preparations by the national association then, had seen the team travel five hours behind schedule.
Dynamos were not spared in their travel. They took off late from Harare and the drivers were the most affected by the fatigue that would later creep in. The players too never really had enough time to recuperate.
When representative sides do well even their sworn enemies wake up to celebrate.
We implore the recently established Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture to rise to it. They must make strong representation to the government that international participation should be funded by the government. This would help grow the sporting industry which has the potential of being a big employer and foreign currency earner.
Government should put to an end suffering endured by national teams or clubs and under the same vein funding would be tied to good corporate governance with codes like athletics, soccer (men and women) and cricket, compelled to be more transparent in their dealings.
The Sport and Recreation Commission would have to police sporting associations so that those that are compliant to tenets of good management are sponsored in regional, continental and international competitions.
A positive sporting vibe on the international scene would inspire thousands of kids. The international community would have a different view about our countries as a lot of positive publicity would come by.
Our worries as a nation are drawn to the fact that Dynamos have been drawn to play against opponents from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Getting to Kinshasa will not be an easy ride for a club that laboured to get to Gaborone. It is our responsibility as a nation to facilitate smooth participation for national teams and clubs in international competitions.
We wish to applaud the government for its recommendation that the SRC, Zifa and police should reduce their charges for Dynamos and How Mine who are taking part in African club competitions in a story published in our sports pages.
Online Reporter