adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
IT seems a cold war has erupted within the local bodybuilding fraternity following a directive by the Sports and Recreation Commission seeking clarity over Victor Hungwe’s recent success at the World Physique Federation Mr Universe contest in Italy.
At a time when Hungwe thought he would be embraced as world champion after winning the Under-90kgs in Naples recently, he is now in trouble with the Sports Commission.
Hungwe is alleged to have travelled to the world championships with the blessings of the South African federation and stands accused of breaching the Sports Commission Act.
The athlete is understood to have been seconded by the South Africans following revelations that the Zimbabwe federation is not affiliated to any world federation.
This week, the Sports Commission tasked the interim National Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation executive to clarify how Hungwe went to Italy without clearance as per Statutory Instrument 342.
The interim NZBBF executive, led by Otis Goredema, has pointed out that Hungwe jumped the gun by joining the South African team to get a ticket to a world event when he could have used the other route of seeking a waiver through the Sports Commission.
But yesterday world champion Hungwe took his anger to the social media when he made a thinly veiled attack on Goredema for taking bodybuilding backwards instead of developing it.
“Have you ever noticed some names are reminiscent to someone’s actions & deeds e.g Goredema, translate that to English “dark cloud’’…
“If we keep this Otis on the helm of our sport, I’m sorry to say a dark cloud is hovering on our beloved sport.
“Forewarned is forearmed!” read a post on Hungwe’s Facebook page.
Another athlete Quiet Shangai also seems to be standing in Hungwe’s corner and has blasted the current interim executive for being inept.
“Do not spoil Hungwe’s festive season, please!!!! Why do you want to make life difficult for athletes?
“I do not get it when the SRC wants to investigate how Hungwe went to the WPF without their blessing.
“When we discuss these issues most myopic people think that we are becoming too academic but look, the SRC is now troubling an innocent Hungwe who made all of us proud,” said Shangai.
Shangai challenged the Sports Commission to embrace Hungwe’s historic feat and then focus on whipping the national bodybuilding administration into line.
Online Reporter