admin Fungai Muderere
AGAINST a background of alleged violence and sexual misconduct at the All Africa Pool Championship (APPA) that were recently held in Harare, the Zimbabwe Pool Association (Zipa) vice-president Sam Siment has revealed they will soon institute a commission of inquiry where substantive evidence may be required.
One Robin Goremucheche who said he was a a�?stakeholder in poola�? last Friday wrote to Zipa and copied to Sports and Recreation Commission calling on them to rein in the culprits who were part of the tournament that had participants from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
Goremucheche alleges that certain ladies from team Zimbabwe, officials and male teammates were involved in sexual escapades while in camp.
In response to Goremucheche, Siment wrote: a�?Zipa fully appreciates your communication in which you seek to alert us to possible issues that may have taken place during the just ended All Africa Pool Blackball Championship. We acknowledge that as the husband to one of the national team players, you certainly are a key stakeholder in the Zimbabwe pool.
a�?Zipa shares your concern that any acts of violence against female players and sexual misconduct as alleged are not only undesirable but have the potential to tarnish the image of the game of pool in Zimbabwe and may result in other stakeholders like yourself discouraging their relatives or spouses from participating in pool. As Zipa, we do not condone such behaviour and will do everything possible to protect the integrity of pool and everyone associated with the game. To that end, the Zipa executive will immediately institute a commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of the allegations.a�?
Added Siment: a�?Our understanding from your letter was that you wanted to alert Zipa to the allegations with a view to have us investigate them. However, we notice that you have also gone to the press without giving us a chance to do so. This is rather confusing to us as we now dona��t know whether going to the Press means that you feel we have failed already to assist you with the investigation.
a�?You also mentioned issues that may have happened in 2015 in Lesotho. Ia��m afraid we will not be able to look into these as our Zipa Board was formed on 14 January 2017. We can only investigate issues that fall within our time in office. Zipa will engage you further in the process of the commission of inquiry where substantive evidence may be required.a�?
Goremucheche, who also claimed that a female player was assaulted by her male counterpart over a remote control, promised to reveal the names of those involved to individuals who will be assigned to investigate the allegations.
a�?It is shameful that year after year, the reports of sexual misconduct in the national pool teams continue to damage the integrity of our sport. Pool has for a long time been stigmatised as a sport of drunkards and prostitutes, surely this is not true but it is unfortunate that we have some in our rank and file who bring disgrace to our game.
a�?I sincerely believe that our mother body has a responsibility to protect our national image, the integrity of the sport, dignity for the girl child who might aspire to participate in the sport,a�? saidA� Goremucheche.
At the games, team Zimbabwe was totally outclassed as both the male and female teams played second fiddle to South Africa, Zambia and Uganda.
Online Reporter