AndrewDeputy Sports Editor
INCUMBENT Zimbabwe Olympic Committee boss Admire Masenda says he is at peace with his decision to step down from office.
Masenda will today hand over the reins to his vice-president, Thabani Gonye, when ZOC hold their long-awaited elections.
“It’s been an awesome experience, being part of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee for the past 23 years, and I am at peace with my decision to step away,” said Masenda.
“Obviously, I will miss being part of the ZOC family, but I will stay in touch with everyone.
“I am not stepping away from the Olympic movement, just moving on to a different office and station”.
Masenda has backed former sprinter and seasoned administrator Gonye to succeed as ZOC president.
“I have every confidence that Thabani (Gonye) is the right man for the job.
“He understands the Olympic movement quite well, he has grown over the past couple of years and he is an astute leader.
“Personally, I have known him very well for some time now.
“He ran against me in 2013 and after I won we never had a problem working together,” he said.
Gonye and Godfrey Sunguro are unopposed in the offices of president and treasurer.
It will be a four-way battle for the vice-presidency, with Zimbabwe Netball boss Leticia Chipandu, Aquatic Union’s Kathleen Lobb, Fredreck Ndlovu from volleyball and National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara all vying for that post.
Eleven candidates will challenge for the seven board member slots that are available and these are: Charmaine Chamboko, Abel Chimukoko, Chipandu, Mufaro Chivonivoni, Stonard Mapfumo, Ringisai Mapondera, Abigail Mnikwa, Merit Munzwembiri, Ndlovu, Tagara and Chipo Zumburani.
In the instance of Mapondera, a legal practitioner by profession, he is hoping to use his vast experience in law, and volleyball, to win a seat on the board.
“I will bring value to the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee as I am a hard worker, action oriented and look forward to serving” said Mapondera.
“I have been practicing law for over 20 years, with my favourite area being sport law.
“I also have a vast sporting background, serving as secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association and have also been the president for a full term.
“I have also been a member of the Africa Region Five’s finance and marketing committee dealing with legal issues”.
Another candidate that spoke to this newspaper, Stonard Mapfumo, said he hopes his management background will see him through.
“As an administrator and Advanced Sport Management Course (ASMC) graduate; I will bring my administration and governance experience to the board, and further the capacity building of our national federations, and in particular, the areas of training and capacity building, monitoring and evaluation of programs,” he said.
Online Reporter