adminEllina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
SPORT and Recreation Commission director for sport development Joseph Muchechetere has said they are now hoping to conclude the ongoing disciplinary hearings for the 10 national sport associations that were summoned in November by the Commission’s Board Disciplinary Committee next month.
The 10 associations — Zimbabwe Handball Federation, Zimbabwe Netball Association, Zimbabwe Boxing Federation, Zimbabwe Professional Golfers’ Association, Zimbabwe Sailing Association, Zimbabwe Billiards and Snooker Association, Zimbabwe Wushu Federation, Zimbabwe Taekwondo Association, Zimbabwe Judo Federation and Zimbabwe Table Tennis Association – were summoned for failing to comply with the provisions of the Commission’s Act, mainly section 29(8) and (9).
The Sports Commission’s Act, section 29(8) states that “every registered national association shall as soon as practicable after the end of the year submit to the commission:
(a) a report on its activities during the previous year and
(b) an audited balance sheet and income and expenditure account for that year.”
item 9 of the same section says that “every registered national association shall, as early as convenient before the commencement of its financial year, submit to the commission its estimates of income and expenditure for the coming year and shall likewise submit any amendments to such estimates.”
Of the 10 associations, seven have so far appeared before the committee while the other three — Zimbabwe Professional Golfers’ Association, Zimbabwe Sailing Association and Zimbabwe Billiards and Snooker Association – are still to make an appearance.
Earlier on the Commission had hoped to complete the process by end of November but last Thursday Muchechetere said due to other commitments by the disciplinary committee members led by Sports Commission board member, Aisha Tsimba, they could not conclude the hearings as earlier expected.
“Now they’re seven out of 10 that have appeared before the disciplinary committee but the committee is yet to make a determination on the various cases. I think very soon they will be in a position to finalise and make a public announcement. Possibly within two weeks we would’ve done that because the board is meeting first week of January.
“Once they’re done with the judgment they will submit it to the SRC board, then the board makes the final position. It’s only that the disciplinary committee was busy with other commitments but very soon we should convene a meeting for the remaining associations to appear.
“The issue isn’t about punishing the national associations but to ensure that the national associations are able to comply. Those who would have shown interest and commitment to comply, the disciplinary committee will lessen their sentence but those that fail the punishment will be severe.
“The Sports Commission was lenient and some of the national associations were taking the Sports Commission for a ride, now the SRC has said enough is enough, we need to make sure that sanity prevails in national associations,” said Muchechetere.
Online Reporter