adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
IT seems professionalism in local rugby is nowhere in sight following another rather comical decision by the National Rugby League not to demote bottom-placed Zvishavane Bulls from the top-flight league.
The decision is definitely not on merit as the whipping boys of local rugby have lost all, save for one of their league games, but the NRL, led by president Noddy Kanyangarara, have found it reasonably acceptable to have the Bulls remain in the top-flight.
Zvishavane Bulls have not necessarily added value or weight to the league since their promotion last year — again under controversial circumstances — and their stay in the league has not been rosy as well.
They are a side that has suffered the biggest defeats in the league this year as they have practically become the punching bag for some teams while others literary play with them as a training side but still, they have managed to survive relegation, thanks to a boardroom decision.
The Bulls have suffered the most embarrassing defeats that have to a certain extent degraded the level of competition in the NRL, falling 3-100 and 0-107 to defending champions Harare Sports Club, were thrashed 67-8 by Old Hararians and Old Georgians handed them a 50-0 hiding among others.
Kanyangarara said the move was welcomed by the consulted stakeholders and no team will be promoted from the lower leagues or demoted from the NRL this year thus the league will still have the same teams next season.
“We have consulted widely from our stakeholders and the general standing is that there is need to retain the current crop of teams and possibly promote one other team for the 2014 season.
“Everyone is in agreement that it is difficult for a team to survive the competition during their first year of promotion hence the need to give them another chance,” said Kanyangarara.
However, the likes of Gweru Sports Club have proved this wrong as they managed to survive relegation just last year, resulting in the demotion of Airforce and the promotion of Zvishavane Bulls.
The league is sponsored by Delta Beverages, through their Lion Lager brand, and Kanyangarara added that the beverage manufactures do not see anything wrong with boardroom decisions that disadvantage teams from the lower leagues.
“Sponsors are happy with it. What remains is for the clubs to endorse this position into action. Once they give the thumbs up we are good to go,” Kanyangarara told the media.
But for the Bulls, this was obviously a welcome development as they have been given another chance to redeem themselves as a truly top eight club in Zimbabwe with team manager Michael Mwale saying they have managed to achieve their goal of not being relegated.
“It is the best news that our club was waiting to hear. We are definitely going to move a gear up to justify our existence. Most of our players made an undertaking to stay at the club on condition we stay in the league.”
Online Reporter